Radko Gudas has been suspended again.The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman will sit out a pair of games for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.Gudas was assessed a minor penalty Tuesday night after hitting Kucherov in the head with his stick late in the third period.As a repeat offender, he'll forfeit more than $80,000 in salary. The league specifically cited Gudas' disciplinary history as "what causes this play to rise to the level of a suspension."The 28-year-old was previously banned for 10 games after slashing Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault in 2017.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres' inconsistent play will not cost head coach Phil Housley his job, general manager Jason Botterill confirmed on Wednesday."We’ve made progress as an organization compared to last year," said Botterill, according to The Athletic's John Vogl. "We’ve been in a position where we’ve been in games. I see the results on the ice. I see the communication that we’re going through here. There’s not going to be a coaching change."With losses in three straight games and seven of their last 10, the Sabres are struggling. Buffalo posted an NHL-best 11-3-1 record through its first 15 contests this season, but the team has won only 17 of its 44 games since then. The Sabres also haven't won consecutive games since Dec. 13.Housley was hired in June 2017 to replace Dan Bylsma, and the Sabres went 25-45-12 in his first campaign behind the bench.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It didn't take long for coach Greg Powers to realize Arizona State was playing out of its depth.The men’s hockey team was getting outclassed on a mid-October night in 2015 by the home side from Quinnipiac University, a Division I powerhouse in Connecticut that ultimately reached the national championship final that season."It was 1-0 after the first period and it felt like it was 15-0," Powers told theScore. "We were nowhere close. We couldn’t even get the puck out of our zone. We literally couldn’t even ice it. It was like, 'Holy shit, hoo!' Like, it was bad."Greg Powers (Getty Images)Back then, the Sun Devils - one of only two Sun Belt programs in DI hockey and bereft of conference affiliation, a la Notre Dame football - were just getting their feet wet against the country's best after a run of success in the lower tiers of college hockey.Quinnipiac delivered a wake-up call. Powers heard it loud and clear."We just knew, 'OK, this is where we need to get to and it’s going to take a while," said Powers, who's now in his ninth season as the team's bench boss. "It was definitely an enlightening experience."Getting there took just three-and-a-half years, as ASU's become a formidable DI program that's quickly gaining respect from the college hockey community. With just two regular-season games remaining this season, the 21-10-1 Sun Devils rank 10th on USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine's most recent national poll.Quinnipiac, as a barometer, is 22-6-2 and ranks sixth.ASU is also a virtual lock to reach the 16-team spring playoff tournament featuring six conference champions and 10 at-large bids selected by a mathematical formula. The last independent to make the tournament was Alaska-Anchorage in 1992.The Sun Devils' rapid rise to prominence has been remarkable, especially considering their non-traditional desert backdrop. What's more, the program now boasts a handful of pro prospects and is being credited by rival coaches as a trendsetter that's helping expand elite college hockey to the southwestern edges of the country.Best of both worldsThe vast majority of college hockey's 60 DI programs are in locations prone to subfreezing temperatures and heaps of snow in the winter months. Only ASU and unranked Alabama-Huntsville reside in sunny climates."We wake up and work out at the football stadium, which is pretty cool. It’s an incredible facility," said goalie Joey Daccord, an Ottawa Senators prospect. "Drive over for practice at the rink, which is a couple of minutes off campus. Usually done around noon. And then we walk to class in the afternoon in a T-shirt."In the wintertime, it’s a little chillier, like 60 degrees, so I have to wear joggers and a light hoodie. It's a tough life."When snowstorms strike the East Coast, Daccord will fire off a Snapchat of the balmy Arizona weather to his buddies back home in North Andover, Mass."They don’t like that," he said.ASU fans at a football game (Getty Images)Defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk does homework poolside, while forward Tyler Busch might squeeze in a round of golf on a day off or take in the sights of his residential complex from a hot tub. And Jordan Sandhu, a freshman forward from Richmond, British Columbia, who "fell in love" with the area through online searches before committing to ASU, enjoys hitting the beach to work on his tan. The Canadian boys are far from home but don't sound like they miss winter.How's that for a competitive advantage on the recruiting trail, where ASU jockeys for talent with programs based in frosty Durham, N.H., Potsdam, N.Y., and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich?Still, ASU's players and coaches are quick to offer a sales pitch that stretches far beyond wins and losses, the weather, and a top-rate party scene."You get to be a pioneer, a trailblazer - whatever you want to call it - and that’s the opportunity you have here that you do not have anywhere else," said Powers, 42, an ASU goaltender himself in the late '90s. "You couple that with a degree from the largest, most powerful institution in North America with the largest alumni base in the world, and it’s a pretty good deal."The cherry on top is that you get to wear flip flops and shorts to the rink every day."Said Daccord: "One of my biggest reservations with Arizona State was that I didn't want people to think all I wanted to do was party. It has that reputation. I think any school or any college is what you want to make it. If you want to go to ASU and party, you can do that. If you want to go to ASU and play hockey, you can do that, too."There might be plenty of opportunities for distraction, but Powers clearly has his players focused on developing something bigger than themselves.That winning swaggerInside every ASU player's locker-room stall hangs a pyramid that explains the identity their coach has cultivated for the program."It's what we call the 'Sun Devil hockey process,'" said Powers, who drew inspiration for the concept from a book about legendary football coach Pete Carroll’s success at USC.The four layers of the pyramid are Belief System, Central Theme, Environment, and Performance.Top of culture pyramid (ASU Sun Devils)Bottom of culture pyramid (ASU Sun Devils)Two slogans - "Be The Tradition" and "Everything Translates" - line the bottom, while the ultimate goal, "That Winning Swagger," marks the top."You can't just snap your fingers and have a good culture," Powers said. "You have to put all the right people in place within an organization to truly share a vision and do anything to make that vision a reality.""Everything Translates" refers to a mindset of acting and living the right way, every day. It's a process that, if all goes according to plan, breeds swagger."What I mean by that is, how do you act in the community?" Powers continued. "How do you treat people? How do you treat your classmates? What do you do when nobody's watching? That's what character is defined by - how you act and what you do when nobody is watching you.""Be The Tradition," meanwhile, is a call to action. In essence, ASU players should embrace the newness of their program and leave a lasting impact on its rituals, day-to-day habits, and on-ice brand. Cases in point: a fiery pregame player introduction speech from sophomore forward Dom Garcia, the giant steel pitchfork reserved for the player of the game, and a rendition of the ASU fight song that's belted out by the entire team following victories.

The Detroit Red Wings will call up top prospect Filip Zadina, general manager Ken Holland told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday.Although Holland wouldn't provide a date for the 19-year-old forward's promotion, NHL teams can carry more than 23 players after Monday's trade deadline. Detroit may also elect to send rookie Michael Rasmussen back to his junior team, St. James notes."He's showing more confidence, he's winning more puck battles, he looks like he's adjusted more to the pro game," Holland said of Zadina. "Points are (a) result of doing things right."Zadina was selected sixth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He's collected 15 goals and 14 assists in 43 games with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

James Neal is expected to miss at least another seven days, according to his general manager.The Calgary Flames forward is week-to-week with what the club is calling a lower-body injury, GM Brad Treliving told reporters, including Sportsnet's Eric Francis, on Wednesday.Neal missed Calgary's last two games after getting hurt in Thursday's loss to the Florida Panthers.The veteran winger has managed only five goals and 15 points in 55 games this season, but he'd shown some life lately with seven points in his last 12 contests.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals waived Devante Smith-Pelly on Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.The 26-year-old forward has recorded four goals and eight points in 54 games this season.He re-signed with the Capitals on a one-year, $1-million contract last June after helping the team win the Stanley Cup.Smith-Pelly notched seven goals in 24 playoff games last spring, matching his total during the 2017-18 regular season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Islanders players are sticking up for John Tavares after a retired former teammate questioned his leadership.Several of Tavares' old running mates dismissed Rob Schremp's insinuation that the Toronto Maple Leafs center is a selfish player when they were asked about the comments."He was by no means a bad leader or a bad teammate," New York forward Matt Martin told Sportsnet's Eric Francis. "I think he was a good captain, led by example, played hard every night, and really cared about the organization and the team.""It's silly to me," Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey said. He then added an anecdote about when Tavares lost the 2014-15 scoring title by a single point after asking for his deflection to instead be credited to Hickey on a goal about halfway through the season."He’s a good teammate," Hickey continued. "For anyone to say he’s selfish, they’re just misguided. Maybe they’re looking for a headline.”Jordan Eberle agreed."If the team isn’t having success and he is, it’s not his fault. I’ve never seen him be selfish," he said. "(The tweet) was a bit surprising. I was shocked, because I know John and played with him and I think the majority of guys who played with him will say the same thing."Tavares had individual goals but the team was his top priority, according to Andrew Ladd."The way he takes care of himself and all that - he wanted to be the best," he said. "That’s his goal. Everything he did was for the group. Nothing but good things from me as a teammate. He’s got a good rep in this room."Tavares spent nine seasons with the Islanders, including five as captain. He ranks fifth on the club's all-time points list.Schremp spent parts of two of those campaigns with Tavares and New York. He was a first-round pick in the 2004 draft, but last played in the NHL in 2010-11 and spent his final seven seasons playing in Europe.Tavares signed with the Leafs as a free agent last July.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Radko Gudas will once again be asked to explain his actions to the NHL's Department of Player Safety.The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman will face a hearing on Wednesday after slashing Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov on Tuesday night, the league announced.Gudas was assessed a minor penalty for hitting Kucherov in the head with his stick late in the third period of the Lightning's 5-2 victory.

Paul Fenton is ready to see the calendar flip to March.The Minnesota Wild are 1-6-3 in February, causing a lot of sleepless nights for the club's rookie general manager."It hasn't been a lot of fun trying to sleep at night," Fenton told The Athletic's Michael Russo prior to Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. "When I do go to sleep, I find myself crying like a baby."The Wild have now been shut out in back-to-back games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don Cherry called the Hurricanes "a bunch of jerks" for their post-win celebrations on Saturday, and Carolina responded with a T-shirt embracing his criticism.

Gustav Nyquist might be staying in the Motor City.The Detroit Red Wings are ready to sign the pending unrestricted free-agent forward to a contract extension if they don't receive a trade offer that meets their asking price, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."Nyquist could become an attractive commodity for teams that miss out on top-tier forward rentals Artemi Panarin, Mark Stone, or Matt Duchene. The 29-year-old has 15 goals and 48 points in 59 games this season, but would need to waive his no-trade clause before being dealt.Nyquist headlines Detroit's list of pending UFAs which also includes veteran Thomas Vanek, right-handed blue-liner Nick Jensen, and goaltender Jimmy Howard.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageColumbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella made it clear that star winger Artemi Panarin is out with an illness Tuesday despite recent trade rumors."He shit his pants, he was puking, he did everything, so enough," Tortorella told reporters Tuesday ahead of the Blue Jackets' tilt with the Montreal Canadiens. "I was told he's sick, he's not eating, he's puking .... he's sick as a dog, yes he's very sick and that's why he's out."Panarin is one of the most highly demanded players rumored to be available ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline.It didn't take long for Twitter to have some fun following Tortorella's scrum.

Matt Duchene may have played his last game with the Ottawa Senators.The pending unrestricted free agent is not expected to be in the lineup Thursday against the New Jersey Devils to avoid injury risk, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Dreger reported on Sunday the Senators plan to trade Duchene before Monday's 3 p.m. deadline.Duchene tallied two assists on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks, giving him 58 points in 50 games this season.The Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets have already reportedly shown interest in Duchene.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains graphic language/mature subject matterAfter San Jose Sharks legend Joe Thornton picked up his first hat trick in over eight years Monday, the entire hockey world - including the opposing Boston Bruins - was anticipating what might happen if the 39-year-old scored a fourth time."Obviously with Thornton getting his hat trick, we wanted to win, but I think we were all kind of hoping for him to get that fourth one to see if he was actually going to do what he said he was going to do," Bruins forward Brad Marchand told reporters Tuesday.In 2013, Tomas Hertl - then a rookie - went between the legs for his fourth goal of a game against the New York Rangers to give San Jose an 8-2 lead. Afterward, Thornton heard a reporter ask one of his teammates whether Hertl was showboating and jumped to his defense."Shut up. Have you ever played the game? I'd have my (rooster) out if I scored four goals. I'd have my (rooster) out, stroking it," Thornton said, according to The Province.San Jose held a 5-4 lead late in Monday's game, meaning Thornton would've had a reasonable shot at four goals if the Bruins pulled the goalie. Instead, Chris Wagner's controversial marker with under two minutes remaining forced overtime, and Boston eventually won.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add another team to the potential bidding war for Mark Stone.The Boston Bruins will be all-in on the star winger if the Ottawa Senators are unable to sign him to a new deal, reports the New York Post's Larry Brooks.In addition to the Bruins, the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights have also reportedly expressed interest in Stone.The 26-year-old's camp and the Senators have reportedly re-engaged in discussions regarding an extension to see there's any common ground.Stone is a pending unrestricted free agent who could be one of the most sought-after players ahead of the Feb. 25 trade deadline.The premier two-way player is carrying a $7.35-million cap hit on his expiring deal.Stone leads the Senators with 28 goals and 62 points in 59 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dustin Byfuglien is hurt again.The Winnipeg Jets defenseman has a new lower-body injury and won't join the club for its upcoming road trip, head coach Paul Maurice told the assembled media, including team reporter Jamie Thomas, after Tuesday's practice.Maurice said Byfuglien was hurt in Saturday's loss to the Ottawa Senators, and that he'll miss at least the next three contests, according to the Winnipeg Sun's Paul Friesen.The Jets' road trip will feature matchups against the Colorado Avalanche, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Arizona Coyotes before the team returns home to face the Minnesota Wild next Tuesday.Byfuglien is Winnipeg's workhorse, averaging a team-leading 24:26 of ice time per contest. The gargantuan blue-liner has collected 30 points in 37 appearances, but also missed 15 games earlier this season with a leg injury.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars may be looking to bolster their forward depth.Dallas has checked in on New York Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Zuccarello is one of the top potential rental candidates ahead of the Feb. 25 NHL trade deadline.The 31-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a $4.5-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.Zuccarello has produced 37 points in 44 games this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of the 2019 NHL trade deadline, we examine where each Western Conference team stands and what strategies they should employ heading into Feb. 25.Central DivisionChicago BlackhawksThe Blackhawks are in a precarious position.A month ago, selling seemed like the obvious path. Now, with the Western Conference jammed up and the Hawks back in the playoff picture on the strength of nine wins in their last 11 games, the plan is far from concrete.GM Stan Bowman recently stated the decision to buy or to sell hadn't yet been made. The smart strategy might be to hold tight; the Blackhawks shouldn't expect to compete with the West's giants in the postseason - if they make it - but they also don't want to wave the white flag.A fringe player in, a late round draft pick out. That's the type of deal that aligns with Chicago's place in the current landscape.Verdict: HoldColorado AvalancheDave Sandford / National Hockey League / GettyThere's likely little long-term benefit to the Avalanche acquiring anything of substance as the season winds down. They're desperate for depth at both forward and defense. A few deadline deals won't change that reality.Plus, according to GM Joe Sakic, the club's biggest trade chips - two 2019 first-round picks, both of which could end up being top-10 selections - are being kept under lock and key.From a selling perspective, who, aside from Colorado's untouchables, might be of interest to other general managers? Perhaps a contender takes a flyer on a pending unrestricted free agent, like Gabriel Bourque, Patrik Nemeth, or Colin Wilson (currently injured). That's about it, though.Don't expect fireworks out of Denver.Verdict: HoldDallas StarsIn a contentious, name-calling state at the end of 2018, the Stars organization has recently focused on winning hockey games, and it's worked wonders.It's mid-February and the dysfunctional Stars are in a position to add, not subtract, as they move to snag a divisional playoff spot. There are some phone calls to be made by general manager Jim Nill; he says he wants a scorer, but the club will likely be taking a vigilant approach to acquiring anything that can help a playoff run.Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported Tuesday that the 29-24-5 Stars are in the hunt for Artemi Panarin and Mats Zuccarello. The outcome of the pursuit remains to be seen.Verdict: BuyerMinnesota WildMike Stobe / National Hockey League / GettyPaul Fenton, the Wild's rookie GM, has reportedly been given the "green light" from ownership to "do whatever he sees fit to improve this team either now or for the future heading into the trade deadline."If Fenton resets for the future, Eric Staal (soon-to-be UFA making $3.5 million) and Charlie Coyle ($3.2M this season and next) may be out the door, with contenders usually looking to add a forward with size at this time of year. Then again, Staal has some say in his fate with a modified no-trade clause.The definition of an average NHL team, Minnesota could be ripe for a teardown sooner than later. Sometime prior to the deadline wouldn't be a terrible starting point, seeing as the Wild's 23-man roster includes five pending unrestricted free agents.Verdict: SellerNashville PredatorsAs per tradition, the Predators are set on the back end and in goal, but not up front. Despite ranking 13th in offense, Nashville's forward group feels incomplete, and recent additions - Brian Boyle from New Jersey and Cody McLeod from the Rangers - don't do enough to solve the lack of finishers.Numerous scoring threats are believed to be on the trading block, and the Preds are after one of Artemi Panarin or Matt Duchene, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.Longtime GM David Poile is no stranger to significant deals. Could forwards Kevin Fiala, 22, and Eeli Tolvanen, 19, be part of a package going the other way?Verdict: BuyerSt. Louis BluesBruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / GettyThe Blues are a complete mystery at the moment.Undisputed winners of the offseason, they fell on their faces out of the gate, winning just nine of their first 25 games and firing their coach in the process. Fast forward and St. Louis is a league-best 16-4-1 in 2019. The team is finally on the right side of the playoff line and currently riding a 10-game winning streak.So, the Blues are buyers, right? Or, at the very least, they'll hold, no? Not so fast.GM Doug Armstrong traded away Paul Stastny around last year's deadline because he didn't think his squad, which had been sniffing a playoff spot, was a contender. Will the same scenario play out again?Right now, it appears it's all up in the air.Verdict: ?Winnipeg JetsDo you hear that? It's Mark Stone's music.Stone heading to the Jets is far from a guarantee, but based on recent rumblings, there's a believable scenario in which the Senators ship the Winnipeg native home if a contract extension in Ottawa can't be reached.Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff isn't tipping his hand but it's only a matter of time before he pulls the trigger on a sizeable deal. The 2018-19 edition of his club is stacked, especially on offense, but could use an infusion from the outside.The haul may be Stone or his teammate - and potential Jets No. 2 center - Matt Duchene. Or, perhaps, another forward with name value.Winnipeg has a 2019 first-round pick and prospects Nic Petan and Sami Niku to dangle. Buckle up.Verdict: BuyerPacific DivisionAnaheim DucksMatt Zambonin / National Hockey League / GettyThe Ducks are 2-1-0 with GM Bob Murray as head coach, but he likely inserted himself behind the bench to get a closer look at his team moving forward. Anaheim is just five points out of a playoff spot but the underlying numbers suggest this team is lucky to be within striking distance.A decision will need to be made on the team's lone key pending unrestricted free agent in Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks would like to re-sign the two-way forward, but without a deal in place, he'll need to be traded. There will be no shortage of suitors for Silfverberg and Anaheim has some up-and-coming forwards who could replace him in the lineup.Veteran netminder Ryan Miller is also a pending UFA and could generate some interest as insurance for a contender, but he'd have to waive his no-trade clause.Verdict: SellerArizona Coyotes The Coyotes have dealt with so many injuries they're tough to properly evaluate. Like most teams in the logjam that is the Western Conference, Arizona is still in the playoff hunt, but mortgaging the future for the top rental doesn't seem smart.With Jordan Weal and Richard Panik as the team's top pending free agents, the Coyotes aren't primed to be deadline sellers either. A deal to help the team's offense beyond this season without giving up a first-rounder would be ideal, though unlikely. A depth forward such as Thomas Vanek, for example, could be added for a late-round pick. Otherwise, don't expect Arizona to make much noise.Verdict: HoldCalgary FlamesScott Audette / National Hockey League / GettyHow confident are the Flames going into the playoffs with David Rittich between the pipes? He saved Calgary's season in the early going but has authored an .889 save percentage over his last 13 games. Could general manager Brad Treliving be in the market for someone like Jimmy Howard?Regardless of whether the Flames decide to trust their goaltending, finding a top-six winger to play alongside Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk should be a priority. Mark Stone, Wayne Simmonds, Mats Zuccarello, and Gustav Nyquist would all be nice fits.Verdict: BuyerEdmonton OilersThe Oilers should be looking toward next season. Believe it or not, Alex Chiasson is Edmonton's only attractive rental chip, and interim GM Keith Gretzky should move him for the best offer possible.How the Oilers handle Jesse Puljujarvi could be interesting. The organization has a history of giving up on players too early, but it's clear the young forward needs a change of scenery. If the right deal presents itself, then pulling the trigger isn't a bad idea, but Gretzky should by no means simply take the best offer he gets for the young Finn.Verdict: SellerLos Angeles KingsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Kings already dealt one of their best trade chips, sending Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a first-rounder and two prospects. Carl Hagelin is L.A.'s top pending UFA, but any veteran not named Drew Doughty or Anze Kopitar should be made available ahead of the deadline. That includes Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Alec Martinez.With most veterans signed beyond this year, the Kings don't need to ship off their best trade chips before Feb. 25, as they could get better offers in the summer. Still, there could be deadline movement in Los Angeles.Verdict: SellerSan Jose SharksDoug Wilson did most of his heavy lifting in the offseason, acquiring perennial Norris Trophy candidate Erik Karlsson. Even though Wilson is one of the league's savviest GMs and the Sharks are in win-now mode, it could be a rather quiet deadline in the Bay Area.San Jose's biggest weakness this season has been in goal, but Martin Jones' impressive playoff resume (.927 save percentage, 2.07 goals-against average in 42 games) provides optimism he can come up big when it matters most.Even with limited cap space, Wilson should still be able to add one more top-nine forward and perhaps a depth defenseman, but don't expect the Sharks to be players for any of the high-profile names.Verdict: BuyerVancouver CanucksJeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / GettyMany predicted the Canucks would be a lottery team, but the emergence of Elias Pettersson has them right in the playoff hunt. Pettersson's rookie year, however, isn't the time to be dealing future assets for rentals.In fact, Vancouver should be looking in the opposite direction. If defenseman Alexander Edler is willing to waive his no-trade clause, there'd be no shortage of suitors lined up for his services. He's expressed a desire to stay in Vancouver, but he could conceivably join a contender for the stretch run before re-signing with the Canucks on July 1. It'd be a win-win.Verdict: SellerVegas Golden KnightsThe Golden Knights sit comfortably in a playoff spot but will likely face a daunting first-round playoff matchup against either the Sharks or Flames without home-ice advantage. They shouldn't be looking to deal from their thin, top-heavy prospect pool in exchange for short-term gain.Vegas does, however, hold a combined seven picks in rounds three through five of the 2019 draft, and could use that capital to add depth to the lineup. A third-line right winger would give the Golden Knights three formidable lines.Verdict: BuyerCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peter DeBoer thinks the NHL will apologize for the refereeing during Monday night's defeat to the Boston Bruins.The San Jose Sharks head coach said as much when asked about Chris Wagner's controversial late tying goal. The Bruins forward appeared to bat the puck out of the air with a high stick before it went into the net.DeBoer confirmed the officiating crew told him Wagner was allowed to play the puck at shoulder length. However, the goal didn't get reviewed because the initial high stick wasn't called."It was above his shoulders, but really, the officiating (for) the whole third period ... was ... I'm sure we'll get an explanation and some type of apology," DeBoer told reporters postgame. "It doesn't help us in the standings, but that's usually how it works."Wagner's stick appeared to make contact with the puck above the crossbar prior to the goal. Then he seemed to touch the puck again with his stick, but the issue is whether his second touch occurred before or after the puck crossed the goal line.

Even fans who haven't watched hockey since the '80s would've been impressed with the amount of scoring between the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.The Sens and Hawks combined for nine goals in the first period of Monday's meeting, with Chicago eventually winning a wild 15-goal game by a score of 8-7.Here's a look at all nine opening-frame goals:

Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov continues to push his ceiling to new heights.His historic campaign added another chapter Monday night, as he recorded his second five-point effort of the season by registering a point on each Lightning goal in a 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets. The big night lifts the All-Star to 99 points on the year with 22 games left.With the incredible performance, the Russian winger is now on pace for 135 points on the year, a mark that has not been hit since the 1995-96 season. But that's hardly where the incredible facts about Kucherov's torrid pace end.He's tallied 18 points over his last five games, giving him more points in that span than six of his full-time teammates have compiled all season, and he's actually registered more games with three or more points (15) than he has games with zero points (14).The 25-year-old is surrounded by an embarrassment of riches on offense, and his 70 assists has already set a franchise record for single-season helpers.The Lightning record for points in a season belongs to Vincent Lecavalier who posted 109 in 2006-07, but with Kucherov now just 10 points back and six weeks remaining, a potential injury seems to be the only thing that could prevent the sniper from taking that title.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to the 11th edition of theScore's 2018-19 NHL Power Rankings, which will be published every two weeks during the regular season. Editors Craig Hagerman, Matt Teague, and Josh Wegman compiled this list.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (44-11-4)What's more incredible: The Lightning's 92 points in 59 games? Or Nikita Kucherov scoring 94 points in the same period?The club remains the gold standard for the NHL this season. Meanwhile, Kucherov is on pace for 130 points, which would be the highest single-season total since the 1995-96 season. - HagermanPreviously: 1st2. New York Islanders (35-17-6) ▲The Islanders are one of the biggest stories in the 2018-19 season.The team is a defensive powerhouse, averaging a league-best 2.29 goals against per game. Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner also rank first and second in save percentage and goals-against average among goalies who have played at least 18 games. - HagermanPreviously: 5th3. San Jose Sharks (35-17-7) ▲The Sharks have been nearly unstoppable since the All-Star break. The team has gone 6-1-0, averaging just shy of four goals per game during that run. That's happened while the team was without Erik Karlsson for nine games.Five San Jose players have already eclipsed the 20-goal mark, the most of any team in the league. The Sharks are also on pace to finish the year with eight 50-plus-point players. - HagermanPreviously: 4th4. Boston Bruins (34-17-8) ▲No David Pastrnak, no problem.The Bruins looked like they were in for a world of hurt with their top goal-scorer sidelined for at least two weeks. However, the club has been perfect since Pastrnak went down, stringing together three straight wins and pushing Boston's current winning streak to five games. - HagermanPreviously: 8th5. Calgary Flames (35-16-7) ▼Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter a shaky stretch, Calgary recovered on Saturday with a win over the always deadly Pittsburgh Penguins.The Flames remain perched atop the Western Conference despite losing five of their last seven games. The team's first line has been consistent, registering 18 points in seven February contests. - HagermanPreviously: 2nd6. Toronto Maple Leafs (36-19-3)Despite a lackluster effort during Auston Matthews' return to Arizona on Saturday, the Maple Leafs have still gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.The team's power play has come alive in recent weeks, with William Nylander and Nazem Kadri beginning to score regularly. - HagermanPreviously: 6th7. Winnipeg Jets (36-19-4) ▼The Jets have struggled over the last three weeks, winning just three times in their last eight games.Winnipeg's recent skid features two losses to the lowly Ottawa Senators and one to the slumping Colorado Avalanche.On the bright side, the Jets' firepower is undeniable. Dustin Byfuglien is still finding his game after recently returning from a lower-body injury. And if Patrik Laine ever starts producing again, the team could run away with the Western Conference. - HagermanPreviously: 3rd8. St. Louis Blues (31-22-5) ▲The Blues have turned around their season during the second half, and they're skyrocketing up the Western Conference standings.Thanks to a 10-game winning streak, St. Louis now occupies third place in the Central Division. Rookie netminder Jordan Binnington has been a revelation, going 12-1-1 with a 1.58 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.Vladimir Tarasenko rediscovering his scoring touch has also helped during the Blues' turnaround. - HagermanPreviously: 20th9. Carolina Hurricanes (31-22-6) ▲The Hurricanes are surging.The club has posted an 8-2-0 record over its last 10 games, and now Carolina sits just a point out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.The addition of Nino Niederreiter, who has tallied 13 points in 13 games, has been a home run. Meanwhile, Sebastian Aho, Justin Williams, and Teuvo Teravainen are also averaging more than a point per game this month. - HagermanPreviously: 15th10. Philadelphia Flyers (28-24-7) ▲Dave Reginek / National Hockey League / GettyThe Flyers are soaring because of Carter Hart's stellar play.The team has gone 8-1-1 in its last 10 games, and Hart is 9-1-0 with a .932 save percentage in his last 10.Philadelphia is still six points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Flyers are playing their best hockey of the season. - HagermanPreviously: 17th11. Nashville Predators (34-22-5) ▼The Predators have occupied the second seed in the Central Division since Jan. 10. The team has dropped four of its last five games, including the Blues earning a home-and-home sweep.Nashville is one of the league's elite defensive teams, but the Predators could use some help up front ahead of the deadline. Their power play has converted just five times over its last 67 attempts. - TeaguePreviously: 7th12. Dallas Stars (29-24-5)Tyler Seguin has significantly improved his play since team CEO Jim Lites' tirade before the new year, but he can't do it all himself.The Stars' lack of offensive depth is glaring, especially after being shut out in two straight games. Dallas has received goals from just three forwards (Seguin, Brett Ritchie, and Alex Radulov) over its last five contests. - TeaguePreviously: 12th13. Montreal Canadiens (31-21-7) ▼The Canadiens' consistent play this season has kept them level despite being in the middle of a four-game losing streak. Claude Julien's club has bought in, as the Habs rank fourth in hits per game and fifth in shots per contest, all while grinding down teams and burning the opposition with relentless speed.The Canadiens also deploy a well-balanced attack, rostering nine players with 10-plus goals this season. - TeaguePreviously: 11th14. Washington Capitals (32-20-7) ▼The defending champs aren't having a problem scoring goals this season, but Washington is struggling to keep the puck out of its own net. The Capitals are conceding 3.19 goals per game, the worst mark among teams currently occupying a playoff position. - TeaguePreviously: 13th15. Columbus Blue Jackets (33-21-3) ▲Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWith the futures of blue chippers Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky still unknown, the Blue Jackets have done a good job weathering the storm. After dropping five straight games in regulation, Columbus responded with five wins in seven games to start February.The Blue Jackets still hold a playoff spot, though the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes are breathing down Columbus' neck. - TeaguePreviously: 16th16. Chicago Blackhawks (24-26-9) ▲Patrick Kane's all-world play has resurrected a seemingly defeated Blackhawks team, propelling them from the bottom of the league into playoff contention.With an 8-2 record over their past 10 games, the Blackhawks sit three points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference with nine games left against division opponents. - TeaguePreviously: 25th 17. Vegas Golden Knights (32-24-4) ▼The Golden Knights have been stuck for quite some time now, sitting third place in the Pacific Division with a large gap between teams above and below.A rare home-ice slump has resulted in seven losses over the Knights' past 10 contests. After a drop in scoring this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Golden Knights attempt to bolster their offense before the deadline. - TeaguePreviously: 11th18. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-21-7) ▼The Penguins are coasting through another regular season, but they shouldn't get too comfortable. Pittsburgh has recorded just four wins in nine February games, with the team sliding from the Metropolitan Division's second seed to a wild-card position. - TeaguePreviously: 12th19. Minnesota Wild (27-26-6) ▼The Wild appear out of sorts. Bruce Boudreau's team has logged just one win in February, and Minnesota's four-game losing streak included a 4-0 shutout loss on home ice to the Blues.The Wild's penalty kill is a concern, as it's operating at a dismal 66.7 percent this month. - TeaguePreviously: 14th20. Buffalo Sabres (28-23-7) ▲Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / GettyIt's been a trying season for the Sabres since November when they posted a league-best 11-3-1 record. A lack of consistency has led to Buffalo's downfall, as the team has failed to win consecutive games since Dec. 13.Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and rookie Rasmus Dahlin are making promising strides, and newcomer Jeff Skinner has been sensational. But the Sabres may not have the depth and goaltending to make serious noise down the stretch. - TeaguePreviously: 21st21. New York Rangers (25-25-8) ▲Mika Zibanejad is blossoming into a true No. 1 center and a building block for the Rangers moving forward. However, with plenty of names floating around the rumor mill, the supporting cast around him could be vastly different next season. - WegmanPreviously: 26th22. Florida Panthers (24-24-8)The Panthers' season hasn't gone as planned, as they sit well out of the playoff picture. Moving forward, it will be tough to address goaltending, the team's biggest weakness, with Roberto Luongo and James Reimer still under contract. - WegmanPreviously: 22nd23. Arizona Coyotes (26-27-5) ▼It's incredibly difficult to evaluate the 2018-19 Coyotes because they've been one of the most injured teams this season. Their resiliency is something to build on, though it's clear this team needs more offensive firepower before it can be taken seriously. - WegmanPreviously: 19th24. Vancouver Canucks (26-27-7) ▼Elias Pettersson already has the Calder Trophy locked up (sorry, Carter Hart). But if he carries the Canucks to the playoffs on his 176-pound frame, the rookie could receive a few Hart Trophy votes, too. - WegmanPreviously: 18th25. Detroit Red Wings (23-29-8) ▲Dave Reginek / National Hockey League / GettyThe Red Wings have produced plenty of encouraging signs during a rebuilding year. But this team faces an uphill battle moving forward in the ultra-competitive - and youthful - Atlantic Division. - WegmanPreviously: 27th26. Colorado Avalanche (23-24-11) ▼The Avalanche's sub-.500 record is disappointing after last season's growth. But with Cale Makar's projected arrival next year, plenty of cap space to work with, and potentially the No. 1 overall pick, Colorado is positioned well for the future. - WegmanPreviously: 23rd27. Los Angeles Kings (23-29-6) ▲The Kings are dead last in the Western Conference, but amazingly only eight points back of a playoff spot. A postseason berth seems impossible, so it'll be interesting to see if L.A. moves any of its locked-up veterans before the deadline. - WegmanPreviously: 30th28. New Jersey Devils (23-28-8) ▲The Devils should shut down Taylor Hall for the remainder of the season. - WegmanPreviously: 29th29. Ottawa Senators (22-31-5) ▲This may be the highest the Senators rank here for the rest of the season if Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Ryan Dzingel are traded at the deadline. - WegmanPreviously: 31st30. Edmonton Oilers (24-29-5) ▼Andrej Sekera is back, but a 32-year-old defensemen who's played just 36 games over the past two years due to a torn Achilles and a torn ACL isn't going to save the Oilers' season. - WegmanPreviously: 24th31. Anaheim Ducks (23-27-9) ▼The Ducks have recorded two wins in three games with Bob Murray behind the bench - the same total they notched over Randy Carlyle's final 21 contests. - WegmanPreviously: 28thCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rod Brind'Amour is all for his players' post-win routines.The Carolina Hurricanes head coach left no doubt about his position on the "storm surge" celebrations that Don Cherry criticized on "Hockey Night in Canada" on Saturday night."It's not about everyone else. (Critics are) missing the point," Brind'Amour told reporters Monday. "It's about our players engaging our fans and thanking them for sticking with us, being there (for us), and trying to provide a little levity to a pretty serious game. We push these guys pretty hard."He said the performances aren't taking place while games are in progress, and the team deserves to let loose in a unique way."Everything's happening after the game. This isn't during the game. It's not before the game. This is when it's all said and done. They've put the work in and now they're just ... instead of just the traditional salute to the fans which nobody cares about, they're just trying to do something a little different."We really don't care what other people think about it. It's been pretty positive around here. I haven't had one fan here say they didn't like it, so I don't think we're changing it."Brind'Amour said none of the players have been uncomfortable with the celebrations."I think they love it, and it's their thing," he continued. "If (team captain Justin Williams) thought they didn't want to do it anymore, he wouldn't do it. We're making way too big a deal of it."The bench boss added that there are no plans to stop or alter the post-win ritual that the club started this season."The fans are enjoying it. You've got to remember, that's what we're here to do. They're the ones that pay the salaries. We have to do things a little differently down here to keep people interested. At the end of the day, it's entertainment and for whatever reason they think that's entertaining. It's fun, people."Brind'Amour said he hopes Monday was the first and last time he has to talk about the celebrations, calling the discussion "irrelevant to what's going on."Cherry lashed out at the team, calling Hurricanes players "a bunch of jerks" and warning that "they better not do this in the playoffs."Shortly after Cherry's rant, Carolina shut out the Dallas Stars and did a limbo contest to celebrate. The latest routine drew praise from Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, and a subtle jab at Cherry. On Sunday, the club revealed "bunch of jerks" T-shirts that will be available later this week.The Hurricanes are surging on the ice as well, having won eight of their last 10 games to move into the playoff hunt.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's National Hockey Writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.In this episode, Jeremy Roenick, an NBC Sports analyst and former NHL star, joins John. Steve Dangle, a professional YouTuber and Sportsnet blogger, is also featured. Topics include:

Ahead of the 2019 NHL trade deadline, we examine where each Eastern Conference team stands and what strategies they should employ heading into Feb. 25.Atlantic DivisionBoston BruinsA first-round matchup against the Maple Leafs seems inevitable for the Bruins, and though they've had Toronto's number before, the Leafs are much deeper than in years past. Boston's top line scares every opponent but its bottom nine pales in comparison to Toronto's.The Bruins need to be aggressive in pursuing one of the top available wingers such as Artemi Panarin or potentially Mark Stone. If general manager Don Sweeney strikes out on the big fish, he should acquire a cheaper rental such as Gustav Nyquist, Wayne Simmonds, or Mats Zuccarello. The Bruins need to add a top-six forward, especially with David Pastrnak sidelined.Verdict: BuyerBuffalo SabresRob Marczynski / National Hockey League / GettyNovember notwithstanding, the Sabres have failed to make the necessary strides to enter this season's playoff conversation and therefore shouldn't be looking to improve through rentals.But Buffalo also shouldn't be looking to sell. Jeff Skinner is the team's only key pending unrestricted free agent and general manager Jason Botterill should do everything he can to sign the sniper to a long-term extension. Recent reports suggest the front office is trying. Unless there's a player available who can help Buffalo beyond this season, the club should wait until the offseason to address its many needs.Verdict: HoldDetroit Red WingsThe Red Wings already hold eight picks in the first five rounds of the 2019 draft and could add more before the trade deadline. Gustav Nyquist and goaltender Jimmy Howard are Detroit's two biggest pending unrestricted free agents and both could garner a nice return, especially if a market develops for Howard. Thomas Vanek, Niklas Kronwall, and Nick Jensen don't have the same appeal, but they could also generate some interest as soon-to-be free agents.Detroit is clearly rebuilding and needs to acquire the best future assets possible in exchange for expiring contracts.Verdict: SellerFlorida PanthersPatrick McDermott / National Hockey League / GettyMany expected the Panthers to be a playoff team this season, but they're well out of the postseason mix leading up to the deadline. Florida's core should stay intact through Feb. 25, but the roster features several pending unrestricted free agents including Jamie McGinn, Derick Brassard, and Riley Sheahan. Brassard and Sheahan only recently joined the Panthers following a trade from the Penguins. All three should be moved to acquire cap space and trade assets the team can use to improve this summer.Verdict: SellerMontreal CanadiensThe Canadiens are one of the NHL's most surprising teams this year. Preseason prognosticators pegged them as a potential lottery team; instead, they're primed for a playoff appearance.Still, Montreal shouldn't be looking to deal from its revamped farm system in exchange for rentals. If there's a player with term available, it's worth exploring a trade. But going all-in during a season that should already be considered a success doesn't seem worth it, especially considering the Canadiens could meet Tampa Bay in the first round.Verdict: HoldOttawa SenatorsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Senators' plan to trade Matt Duchene while they attempt to sign Mark Stone is the right move. Stone is captain material and only 26 years old. Given that he's never relied on speed for success, he should age better than most on a potential eight-year deal.If Stone and the Sens can't reach an agreement soon, however, the team needs to trade him as well. The same goes for the pending unrestricted free agent flying under the radar in Ottawa: Ryan Dzingel.Trading Duchene, Stone, and Dzingel would mean even more short-term pain in the nation's capital, but the club can't afford to lose them for nothing come July 1.Verdict: SellerTampa Bay LightningIs it even possible for the Lightning to make their team better? One wouldn't think so, given their 44-11-4 record. But the Bolts are in a prime position to acquire one of the top available rentals.With Brayden Point poised to command a hefty cap hit this summer, the Lightning are going to be in cap trouble. Tampa Bay could alleviate this by including one of its long-term contracts, such as J.T. Miller's, in a trade for a game-breaking talent like Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, or Mark Stone.This is clearly Tampa Bay's year, and acquiring an elite rental player while shedding a long-term contract in the process would kill two birds with one stone.Verdict: BuyerToronto Maple LeafsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Maple Leafs already gave up their 2019 first-rounder for Jake Muzzin and reportedly won't part with future firsts or their top two defense prospects for a rental.Toronto could still stand to improve its blue line, specifically on the right side. But that would likely mean moving out Nikita Zaitsev's contract, which may be tough to do midseason. Adding a depth forward who can provide a physical presence may be the Leafs' most realistic way of improving before the deadline.Verdict: BuyerMetropolitan Division Carolina HurricanesThe Hurricanes a complete wild card. One day they're reportedly selling, the next they're reportedly buying, and the third they're reportedly OK with the status quo.The most common players in the rumor mill are Micheal Ferland (pending UFA), Dougie Hamilton (seemingly always available, no matter who he plays for), and Brett Pesce (of great interest to the Maple Leafs, potentially).Even if Carolina doesn't sell big, Ferland appears the most likely trade candidate. The 26-year-old winger has 16 goals and 33 points in 50 games and seems destined to test the open market this coming summer, though nothing is set in stone.It seems there are more questions than answers for Carolina in the lead-up to deadline day.Verdict: ?Columbus Blue JacketsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLike the Senators in the Atlantic, the Blue Jackets are ground zero for trade activity in the Metro.With the futures of star forward Artemi Panarin and franchise goalie Sergei Bobrovsky dominating headlines all season, one might label Columbus a seller and call it a day. But the club could turn around and land another impact forward like Matt Duchene or a second-tier player like Marcus Johansson to soften the potential blow of losing one or both of its stars.Reports suggest GM Jarmo Kekalainen is motivated to both sell and buy. Panarin and Bobrovsky are forcing his hand, but the Blue Jackets are a good hockey team and their fan base needs postseason success.Verdict: Seller and BuyerNew Jersey DevilsGeneral manager Ray Shero got the party started earlier this month, flipping Brian Boyle and his expiring contract to Nashville for a 2019 second-round pick.Next up might be Marcus Johansson, the playmaking forward who's run into injury after injury since being acquired from the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2017. Blue-liner Ben Lovejoy and winger Drew Stafford are also worthy of consideration - albeit from a depth perspective. Both are rentals.Don't be surprised if the Devils' eight draft selections in 2019 balloon to 10 or more by next week.Verdict: SellerNew York IslandersDave Sandford / National Hockey League / GettyThe John Tavares-less Islanders are slam-dunk buyers. Who woulda thunk it?With nearly $10 million in cap space and the division lead, GM Lou Lamoriello has wiggle room galore as he looks to capitalize on the club's tremendous first season under head coach Barry Trotz.New York could use an upgrade on its center depth behind Mathew Barzal. Perhaps Matt Duchene fits the bill? Or, if the Islanders truly believe in themselves, why not take a run at Artemi Panarin, who's counting the days to free agency and is reportedly drawn to metropolitan cities?The Isles have their first-round pick for this year and beyond at their disposal. All eyes on Lou.Verdict: BuyerNew York RangersIt's been more than a year since the Rangers promised their fans a rebuild. Although there's been some movement - last deadline's Ryan McDonagh trade with Tampa is looking like a win-win for both clubs - assets like Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and Vladislav Namestnikov remain on the roster.Zuccarello and Hayes are both pending UFAs and should fetch decent returns, while Kreider and Namestnikov have less predictable futures given the extra year on each of their contracts. Three or four of these players could soon be packing their bags. Blue-liner Adam McQuaid is also on an expiring contract.Verdict: SellerPhiladelphia FlyersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBarring the unforeseen, these are the final days of Wayne Simmonds' tenure with the Flyers. Several contenders - including the Jets, Lightning, Bruins, and Predators - are believed to be interested in the winger's services, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.Chuck Fletcher's goalie-for-goalie trade (Cam Talbot in, Anthony Stolarz out) got the juices flowing. How deep does he cut ahead of his first deadline as Philadelphia's general manager?The smart money's on Philly waiting until the offseason to assess the team's core, but you never know. The Flyers are volatile.Verdict: SellerPittsburgh PenguinsThe Penguins already completed six in-season trades, reeling in the likes of Nick Bjugstad, Tanner Pearson, and Jared McCann up front, as well as Marcus Pettersson on the back end.Pittsburgh is playing with fire, alternating between losing skids and winning streaks in 2019, but it's hard to envision GM Jim Rutherford sitting on his hands here. He just doesn't seem to be wired that way, especially since Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren't getting any younger.In terms of player-specific scuttlebutt, Larry Brooks of the New York Post expects Pittsburgh to show interest in Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello.Verdict: BuyerWashington CapitalsRob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Capitals definitely aren't selling, unless you include their rumored desire to move on from Andre Burakovsky. They lack the cap space to chase a marquee name, but that doesn't mean general manager Brian MacLellan won't attempt to improve around the edges. He's supposedly ready and willing to upgrade his middle-six forward group.If Washington happens to hold and not make a trade before the deadline, it wouldn't be a huge surprise. Consider them bargain-bin buyers.Verdict: BuyerCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marian Hossa is opening up about the skin condition that forced him to retire last May.The former star forward recently went into detail about the physical challenges he endured in the final years of his career in an interview with The Athletic's Scott Powers in his native Slovakia."I wasn't really thinking about the end, it just (came) basically, the eczema kind of told me," Hossa told Powers. "My body told me there was no other way. That's when I had to start thinking, 'Well, it could be.' Because my skin (was) almost like breaking. (It was) leaking from the wounds. (I was) missing practices."Hossa said he was diagnosed with eczema six years ago, triggered by the combination of his sweat and hockey equipment. It was initially manageable but intensified over time, as red blotches began forming on his body.Eventually, his condition affected more than just hockey."That's the one thing, I was still in great shape, I felt good. But I came home, I was afraid to touch my kids because (my) skin was not in a good shape," Hossa explained. "I said 'I'm not supposed to be like this. I'm not supposed to eat pills to play hockey.' Those pills are not easy pills. Those are hard pills. Every second week I have to go to (the) hospital to check my blood. If those pills don't affect me, something else (does)."I said at what point should I be doing this to keep going? I have a life. I have a young family. I don't want to risk it with another year with the pills on me. So I just came to the thing where I had to make a big decision and I have to be like, 'Body says you have to stop.'"Hossa said he felt uncomfortable removing his gear in the dressing room after games and that his condition prevented him from going to dinner with his Team Europe teammates before the final at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.The 40-year-old won the Stanley Cup three times with the Chicago Blackhawks and played for five teams in his 19-season career, racking up 525 goals and 1,134 points in 1,309 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets appear to be turning to the Ottawa Senators for a Stanley Cup push.The Jets are interested in Senators forwards Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Ryan Dzingel, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.Winnipeg will turn to Dzingel as a contingency plan if it fails to acquire Duchene or Stone, Garrioch added.The trio are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. The Senators reportedly plan to trade Duchene but have re-engaged in extension talks with Stone.The Jets have the cap space to afford Stone ($7.35M cap hit) or Duchene ($6M) for the remainder of the season but likely wouldn't have the room to sign either to an extension, as Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, and Jacob Trouba are all set to become restricted free agents at season's end.Duchene would provide a similar ripple down the lineup that Paul Stastny did a year ago, likely pushing Bryan Little to the third line and Adam Lowry to the fourth, creating exceptional depth down the middle. The dynamic center is in the midst of a career year, racking up 27 goals and 56 points in 49 games.Stone, a Winnipeg native, is one of the best two-way players in the league. He has 27 goals and 59 points in 58 games but also leads the NHL with 86 takeaways.Dzingel often gets overlooked compared to Duchene and Stone, but with 22 goals and 43 points in 56 games, he's no slouch offensively.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Jordan Binnington made 31 saves and the St. Louis Blues posted their third straight shutout, beating the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Sunday for their 10th straight win.Binnington made 21 saves to blank Arizona on Thursday, and Jake Allen stopped 32 shots in a 3-0 win against Colorado on Saturday. St. Louis hasn't allowed a goal in 187:16, since late in an 8-3 win over New Jersey on Tuesday.Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists and Ryan O'Reilly, Vince Dunn and Brayden Schenn also scored to help St. Louis match the best winning streak in franchise history, completed in January 2002. The run also ties the Blues for the longest streak in the NHL this season. The Blues have won eight straight on the road, their best such run since taking 10 straight in 2000.Alex Stalock stopped 26 shots for Minnesota in his first action since Feb. 2.Binnington improved to 12-1-1 since making his first NHL start on Jan. 7 with four shutouts on the road.A wide-open Tarasenko scored the first goal 5:08 into the first period. The power-play tally extended Tarasenko's career-high points streak to 12 games. He has 11 goals and 11 assists during the streak.Tarasenko also had an assist on O'Reilly's goal later in the first that made it 2-0. The assist was Tarasenko's 400th point. He later picked up the assist on Schenn's second-period goal that put St. Louis up 4-0. Schenn fired the puck off Wild defenseman Nick Seeler, who slid into the net and took the puck with him.St. Louis' power play was 3 for 30 in its previous 13 games heading into Sunday but converted twice in the first period. The Blues finished 2 for 6 with the man advantage.Minnesota was 0 for 5 on the power play. The Wild are 1-5-3 in their last nine games.Dunn scored his eighth goal of the year to give the Blues a 3-0 lead in the second. Dunn's one-timer on a 3-on-1 rush came just after St. Louis successfully killed off a penalty.NOTES: Wild C Matt Hendricks (upper body) and C Victor Rask (lower body) both missed their second straight games with injuries. ... St. Louis has a plus-26 goal differential during its 10-game win streak. ... Tarasenko scored his 204th career goal, which ties him with Pavol Demitra for seventh in Blues history.UP NEXTBlues: Host Toronto on Tuesday night.Wild: Host Anaheim on Tuesday night.---More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-SportsCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Barring any last-minute changes, the Ottawa Senators will trade center Matt Duchene before the Feb. 25 deadline, TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Sunday.Mark Stone's future in Ottawa should also be determined early this week, well in advance of the trade deadline, Dreger added.It was reported Saturday that the Senators made Duchene available, and recent developments suggest the 28-year-old's departure from Ottawa is imminent.There will likely be several teams lining up to offer the Senators a package for Duchene. TSN's Pierre LeBrun believes that "Columbus and Nashville are among the many teams which have checked in with the Senators on him," though nothing has been confirmed.The speedy sniper has registered 27 goals and 56 points this season, and he's second in team scoring behind Stone.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former New York Islanders forward Rob Schremp apparently isn't a fan of John Tavares.Schremp responded to a tweet on Saturday that compared the Islanders' record last season on Feb. 15 to their current standing in the league. The former 25th overall pick called Tavares an "I did my job" superstar and said the Toronto Maple Leafs forward cares more about his own personal accolades than the team's success.

The Ottawa Senators have made Matt Duchene available and have re-engaged with Mark Stone in discussions regarding an extension over the past few days to see if there's common ground, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.Trade talks involving Duchene are expected to heat up over the next few days, according to Friedman.Both players are pending unrestricted free agents, and as a result, they've long been considered to be two of the biggest potential trade-deadline targets for other teams.The Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights have reportedly shown interest in Stone.Duchene was dealt to the Senators by the Colorado Avalanche in November 2017, while Stone has spent his entire career with Ottawa after being drafted by the Sens in 2010.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don Cherry is predictably perturbed about the Carolina Hurricanes' post-win routines.The longtime "Coach's Corner" pundit went off Saturday night when asked about the subject by broadcast partner Ron MacLean."This is the National Hockey League. (Hurricanes bench boss Rod) Brind'Amour is a good coach. These guys, to me, are jerks," Cherry said. "They're still not drawing (fans) ... I'll tell you one thing: They better not do this in the playoffs. What I don't understand is, Brind'Amour's a straight shooter. He always was. This is a joke."Cherry wasn't done there."Young men expressing themselves for (the) joy of winning," he said in a mocking tone. "You don't do this thing in the (NHL). This is professional hockey. What are these guys, jerks or something?"The 85-year-old former coach suggested there's a time and a place for it."If you want to do it, do it before (the game), but that is absolutely ridiculous," he said. "I know all the broadcasters and everything are afraid to say something like that (but the Hurricanes are) jerks (for) doing it."Cherry finished his rant by calling out Hurricanes captain Justin Williams, who often leads the post-win performances and is one of the biggest defenders of the team's celebrations."I know what I'm talking about. You (should) never do anything like that. They're still not drawing (fans). They're a bunch of jerks as far as I'm concerned. Imagine Justin Williams doing stuff like that. Ridiculous."The Hurricanes changed their Twitter bio shortly after Cherry's comments.Later on in the evening, Hurricanes defenseman Calvin de Haan tweeted the viral "Don Cherry's piano desk" video from 2011.

Jesse Puljujarvi was scratched from the Edmonton Oilers' lineup against the New York Islanders on Saturday night.It was not due to injury, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector, who noted earlier in the day that the key to the Oilers' acquisition of Sam Gagner from the Vancouver Canucks is that Edmonton will now send Puljujarvi down to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.The decision to sit him came less than 24 hours after the 20-year-old forward's agent suggested a change of scenery would be beneficial and the day after TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported the Oilers were open to trading him.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks got a huge boost on Saturday night as defenseman Erik Karlsson returned to the lineup against the Vancouver Canucks.Karlsson has missed nine games with a lower-body injury and has not suited up for the Sharks since Jan.16.The former Norris Trophy winner recorded 31 points over 25 games prior to the injury. Karlsson ranks fourth among defenseman with 0.91 points per game, and 10th in ice time while logging 24:59 a night.The Sharks managed to maintain their strong play despite Karlsson's absence, going 6-3 and winning six of their last seven games without him.San Jose occupies the second seed in the Pacific Division heading into Saturday's action.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks have traded forward Sam Gagner to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Ryan Spooner, the team announced.Gagner, 29, will rejoin the team that drafted him with the sixth overall selection in 2007. The London, Ontario native played his best hockey in Edmonton, reaching the 40-point mark in each of his first five seasons with the club.The 5-foot-11 winger has spent the majority of the campaign on loan with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and is in the second of a three-year contract with Vancouver. His deal has an annual cap hit of $3.15 million.Gagner won't have to wait long for his chance in Edmonton, as the team announced that defenseman Matt Benning has been placed on injured reserve. The move clears a roster spot for Gagner to join the lineup against the New York Islanders on Saturday.Spooner, 27, was acquired by Edmonton on Nov. 16 from the New York Rangers. It's been a trying season for the centerman, who's tallied three goals and five points through 41 games between the two clubs this year.The Ottawa, Ontario product is in the first of a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $4 million.The move marks the second trade for the Oilers in less than 24 hours after the team sent Cam Talbot to the Philadelphia Flyers for Anthony Stolarz in a goaltender swap.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers traded goaltender Cam Talbot to the Philadelphia Flyers for netminder Anthony Stolarz, the clubs announced Friday night.It's a trade that gives the Oilers a bit more wiggle room under the salary cap, as they gain a pro-rated $3.4 million in cap space for the rest of the season, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.That'll allow them to activate defenseman Andrej Sekera off injured reserve when they're ready to do so.As part of his modified no-trade clause, Talbot had a 10-team list outlining the clubs he'd be willing to accept a trade to, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. The Flyers were not on the list, meaning Talbot had to waive his no-trade clause for the deal to materialize, LeBrun added.Once Talbot plays for the Flyers, they'll set an NHL record by using eight goaltenders in a single campaign, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Talbot, 31, spent four seasons with the Oilers, who acquired him from the New York Rangers at the 2015 draft. He's a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a cap hit of about $4.17 million.Stolarz, 25, played 19 games with the Flyers over the last three years. He's a pending restricted free agent with a $761,250 cap hit.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley didn't sugar coat his words after a 6-2 loss at home to the New York Rangers on Friday.“We didn’t pin a guy in a cycle, we didn’t kill a play, we just let them roam and now we’re just riding our checks and it just looks like we’re soft," Housley told reporters after the game.The Sabres got off to a sluggish start, spotting the Rangers a 2-0 lead after the first period.“When we don’t execute we look slow, we look sloppy, we let guys off the wall in D-zone coverage, we were easy to play against in the first period.”After boasting a league-best 11-3-1 record in the month of November, the Sabres have struggled to find consistency, failing to win back-to-back contests since Dec. 13."You have to understand the desperation at this time of the season. Every shift counts, every plays counts, the details of the game, that’s what is disappointing because you feel like we’re moving in the right direction and you take a step back.”Heading into Saturday's action, the Sabres sit four points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They begin a three-game road trip on Sunday in New Jersey.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jesse Puljujarvi's agent, Markus Lehto, spoke out Friday on the situation surrounding his client and the Edmonton Oilers, suggesting a change of scenery might be best for the struggling winger."I think it's hard to reset," Lehto told Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "It's like, when the player isn't trusting anymore ... 'Do these guys really want me here? Do they really trust me to be a top-six guy? A top-nine guy? An offensive player?' The player is uncertain."Are we reaching the point that for the team and for the player, it might be actually beneficial for going different paths, different routes?"Lehto's comments come after TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported that the Oilers are open to trading Puljujarvi if a proper return can be found.Puljujarvi was drafted fourth overall by the Oilers in 2016 with tremendous hype after he recorded 17 points in seven games while winning gold for Finland at the world juniors. His NHL career thus far hasn't yielded anything close to the same success; Puljujarvi's notched just nine points in 45 games this season entering Friday while averaging 12 minutes per contest.He's had three different stints with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors since being drafted, most recently in November, when he recorded four points in four games.Puljujarvi is currently playing out the final year of his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent at season's end.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A certain New Jersey Devils goaltender finally got off the schneid.Cory Schneider picked up his first regular-season victory since Dec. 27, 2017 as the Devils stormed back to defeat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 in overtime Friday night.Schneider came on in relief of Keith Kinkaid with New Jersey trailing 4-1, but the Devils then erupted for four unanswered goals, including Nico Hischier's overtime winner with less than two minutes remaining in the extra frame.He did win a playoff game during the skid, helping New Jersey capture Game 3 of the first-round series it ultimately lost in five contests to the Tampa Bay Lightning.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets are keeping Mark Stone on their radars prior to the Feb. 25 trade deadline.Vegas has shown heavy interest in acquiring the Ottawa Senators superstar, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Meanwhile, Garrioch notes that Winnipeg is also in heavy pursuit of Stone, describing the Jets as "one of the most aggressive teams" in their pursuit of the Manitoba native.Stone - a premier two-way player and pending unrestricted free agent - is one of the biggest names said to be available prior to the deadline, but the Senators are still pushing to sign the 26-year-old to a contract extension before being forced to trade him or risk losing him for nothing in the offseason, Garrioch adds.The veteran winger was drafted 178th overall by the Senators in 2010 and has spent his entire career with the organization. Stone leads the club with 26 goals and 57 points in 57 games this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Should the New York Islanders make the playoffs, any first-round home games will take place at NYCB LIVE, the site of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the club announced Friday.If they advance beyond the opening round, they'll play their home games at Barclays Center, the team's other home in Brooklyn, "reflecting that the Nassau Coliseum does not qualify as an NHL major-league facility."The Islanders currently sit three points clear of the Washington Capitals atop the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand.New York is scheduled to play 21 of its 41 regular-season home contests at the Coliseum this season.The Coliseum served as the Islanders' primary facility from their inception in 1972 until 2015.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is hoping to address his team's biggest weakness, the offense, ahead of the trade deadline."It's hard to score goals right now," he told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "You watch games, every team seems to be in playoff mode right now."Every game seems to be 2-1, 3-2 right now. It's hard to score goals. I think that's where our game is going a little bit. If we could add a little more scoring, you can never have enough of it."The Stars rank 29th in goals, averaging 2.54 per game. Only four Dallas players have managed double-digit goals. Meanwhile, the team has scored three-plus goals in a game just three times in 17 contests since the calendar flipped to 2019.Nill says he's open to almost anything in his pursuit of more talent, but his willingness to make a trade could change if the Stars don't hold on to their playoff spot."I think there are a lot of teams, because of how tight things are in the standings, they're waiting to see where it all goes," he said. "So over the next two weeks that's something we're going to watch. We're very open to making a hockey trade if it's going to make us better. If we stay in the hunt the way we are, we're open to adding to our team."The Stars currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' blue line is set to receive a boost, as the team activated defenseman Justin Schultz from injured reserve on Friday.Schultz has missed the past 53 games after fracturing his left leg on Oct. 13. He'll be a game-time decision for Saturday's contest against the Calgary Flames.The 28-year-old Schultz tallied four assists in four games this season before the injury.His return to action comes as the Penguins occupy the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, they're just three points up on the Carolina Hurricanes after going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers are open to trading 20-year-old winger Jesse Puljujarvi, TSN's Ryan Rishaug reports.The Oilers talked to Puljujarvi's agent Markus Lehto on Friday, and a deal could be made for a proper return, Rishaug added.In the meantime, the team is considering sending Puljujarvi to the AHL for a stint with the Bakersfield Condors in an effort to help boost both his offense and confidence, but no decisions have been made at this point, according to Rishaug. The Condors offer a great opportunity for the young forward, as the team is currently riding a 13-game winning streak and sit atop the AHL's Pacific Division.Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-4 talent has struggled at the NHL level. In 138 career games, Puljujarvi has tallied 17 goals and 37 points, ranking him 13th among members of his draft class.The Finn is currently in the final year of his entry-level contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The abundance of talented pending unrestricted free agents and other notable names who could be available ahead of the NHL trade deadline presents some tantalizing potential deals.Several surefire Stanley Cup contenders could make their already deep rosters even more formidable, while solid teams looking to close the gap are primed to acquire a major piece that addresses a need. In short, there's no shortage of scenarios that could play out before the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 25.Here's a handful of deals we'd love to see come to fruition leading up to the deadline:Predators pounce on PanarinArtemi Panarin, the most potent weapon on the trade market, would be a perfect fit for a Nashville team in need of a significant offensive boost. The Predators entered Thursday's action with the NHL's worst power play and ranked outside the league's top 10 in goals per game.General manager David Poile has never shied away from pulling off blockbusters, and he's consummated a rather large one with the Columbus Blue Jackets before.For the Jackets, the conversation likely begins with Nashville's top prospect, Eeli Tolvanen. Although the Predators would be reluctant to give up Tolvanen for a rental - Panarin has expressed a desire to test the free-agent market - the Predators need to do something to get over the hump, and it's time for them to go all-in for the Stanley Cup.One would think a package of Tolvanen, a relatively high draft pick, and a roster player like Colton Sissons would be enough for Columbus. If Tolvanen's not involved, the price would conceivably have to be a first-rounder plus a different prospect and a roster player, particularly if the Blue Jackets intend to flip what they get for a player that keeps them competitive in the short term.Jets deal for DucheneIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWith Nikolaj Ehlers expected back from injury in a few weeks at most, acquiring a center of Matt Duchene's caliber would be a great play for the Winnipeg Jets.Much like last year, the Jets are likely looking to add to their top six. Just as the club added Paul Stastny for the stretch drive in 2018, Duchene would provide a similar upgrade at an all-important position.Duchene, a pending unrestricted free agent, is likelier to sign a contract extension than Panarin, so that could increase the price.The Jets have plenty of depth pieces and a wealth of prospects to offer, including promising defenseman Sami Niku and forward Mason Appleton. Plus, they still have all of their first- and second-round picks for the next three drafts to throw in, as well. A prospect, a pick, and a roster player to acquire Duchene would make sense here.Flames snag StoneJana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Calgary Flames need an upgrade at right wing over Michael Frolik to play with Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund, and Mark Stone fits the bill as one of the best in the game to play his position.While the Flames don't have much wiggle room under the cap to accommodate Stone's $7.35-million hit or what he'll command on a new deal, general manager Brad Treliving has proven to be one of the most creative executives in the league.Calgary could package a pick, a prospect like Oliver Kylington or Rasmus Andersson, and roster players like Mark Jankowski, Austin Czarnik, and Stone's older brother, Michael to get a deal done.The Flames will probably have to trade away a roster player or two in the offseason in order to keep Stone long term, but Treliving can figure that out in the summer. Acquiring the 26-year-old winger would be the best way for Calgary to keep up in the Western Conference arms race.Maple Leafs haul in HamiltonGregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / GettyIt's not the most likely trade given Toronto's cap constraints, but a potential Dougie Hamilton blockbuster would add even more fireworks to an already promising deadline while providing the Leafs with another right-shot defenseman for both this season and beyond.Toronto reportedly doesn't want to deal away Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, or a first-round pick for a rental, but you'd have to think the Leafs would be more willing to offer one or more of those assets in a trade for Hamilton, who has two years remaining on his deal after this one.They'd probably need to rid themselves of Nikita Zaitsev's contract to make the money work, and that won't be easy. Toronto could make it more enticing by including a prospect or pick in a separate move, or by packaging him with a top prospect or pick in a larger Hamilton swap.Forward prospects Jeremy Bracco and Trevor Moore, and/or a roster player like Connor Brown - who's on the books for $2.1 million this season and the next - could also be thrown in, depending on the scale of the purely hypothetical blockbuster.Hamilton would solidify the Leafs' top four for their upcoming playoff run and beyond without significantly compromising the team's future.Bruins swoop in for SimmondsEven if star forward David Pastrnak is able to return from injury shortly after the trade deadline, the Boston Bruins will still need another scoring winger. Although Panarin and Stone are intriguing options for the Bruins, Wayne Simmonds makes a lot of sense for Boston and would come at a lower price.Complicating matters is the fact that Simmonds has the right to submit a 12-team no-trade list, according to CapFriendly, and his Philadelphia Flyers have been on a roll lately. But, according to reports, Simmonds and the Flyers haven't made progress in contract talks, and he's reportedly more likely than not to be dealt.Simmonds would bring a mix of skill and physical play to a Bruins squad that would welcome both, especially come playoff time.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jeff Blashill might've misplaced his copy of the Detroit Red Wings' promotional schedule.The Wings' bench boss made Dennis Cholowski a healthy scratch Thursday on the rookie's bobblehead night. The first 7,500 fans who arrived at Little Caesars Arena for Detroit's matchup versus the Ottawa Senators received a bobblehead of the defenseman.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Jordan Binnington matched a franchise rookie record with his seventh straight victory, Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and the St. Louis Blues stretched their longest winning streak in 18 years to eight games with a 4-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.Joel Edmundson scored early in the first and had an assist on Tarasenko's goal late in the period. Tarasenko put the Blues up 3-0 late in the second period with a power-play goal, giving him nine goals and eight assists during a career-high 10-game points streak.Robert Bortuzzo scored his second goal of the third period for the Blues, who have their longest winning streak since 2000-01. St. Louis is 14-4-1 in 2019, including 9-2-1 on the road.Binnington made 21 saves to match Brent Johnson's rookie franchise record winning streak set in 2000-01. Binnington had a shutout in his first career NHL start on Jan. 7 and has two more while going 11-1-1.Darcy Kuemper stopped 20 shots for Arizona, which has lost six of eight after a ragged opening period against the Blues.The Coyotes have dominated the series with St. Louis recently, winning the three previous games by a combined score of 17-3. Arizona rolled over the Blues in the first meeting this season on Dec. 1, all but chasing goalie Chad Johnson out of St. Louis by scoring all its goals against him in a 6-1 win.St. Louis has been a different team since the start of the new year, though, winning behind Binnington and a high-scoring offense.The Blues jumped on the Coyotes early Thursday night, dominating the puck until scoring 3 1/2 minutes in when Edmundson swept a rolling pass from Jaden Schwartz past Kuemper's right pad.Tarasenko made it 2-0 with his 23rd goal, lifting his stick waist-high to deflect a pass from Edmundson under Kuemper's left arm.Tarasenko stretched the lead to three goals late in the second period, one-timing a pass from Brayden Schenn at the left circle for his 24th of the season.Notes: The teams' final meeting this season will be March 12 in St. Louis. ... Coyotes C Brad Richardson returned after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury. ... Blues LW David Perron missed his seventh straight game with an upper-body injury.UP NEXTThe Blues play at Colorado on Saturday.The Coyotes host Toronto on Saturday.---More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-SportsCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nikita Kucherov cannot be stopped.The Tampa Bay Lightning superstar racked up four points Thursday night in the 6-0 victory over the Dallas Stars, just two days after picking up a goal and three assists against the Calgary Flames. In total, the 25-year-old has 11 points in his last three contests.Kucherov's recent hot streak is helping him pull away in the Art Ross Trophy race, as he now has 92 points in 58 games. The Russian is now on pace for 130 points - a mark that hasn't been reached since 1995-96, when Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux racked up 149 and 161 points, respectively.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jeff Skinner's representatives and the Buffalo Sabres are working on a new contract for the productive forward.Both sides are "solely focused" on getting an extension done, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. He adds that Skinner's camp and the Sabres are having "some good conversations," but there's still work to be done.Unlike the situation with Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, and the Ottawa Senators, the trade deadline isn't a factor in the Skinner negotiations because he has a full no-move clause and there's been no indication he wants to go anywhere else, according to LeBrun.Skinner is in the final season of the six-year, $34.35-million pact he inked with the Carolina Hurricanes in summer 2012.He'll likely receive a sizable raise, as entering Thursday's action the winger ranks second in the NHL with 34 goals in 56 games.Buffalo acquired the 26-year-old from the Hurricanes last offseason in exchange for prospect Cliff Pu and three draft picks.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.