The Minnesota Wild have placed winger Chris Stewart on waivers, the team announced Sunday.The move allows general manager Chuck Fletcher a tad more financial flexibility as the cap-crunched Wild approach Monday's trade deadline.Stewart, 30, started the season red hot with six goals in his first six games, but has only found the back of the net three times since.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes released a statement Sunday, showing support for captain Jordan Staal and his wife Heather after the passing of their infant daughter Hannah.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired veteran center Tomas Plekanec and AHLer Kyle Baun from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick, forward Kerby Rychel, and defenseman Rinat Valiev, the team announced Sunday.The Canadiens will retain 50 percent of Plekanec's $6-million cap hit as a part of the deal, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.Plekanec has appeared in 60 games with the Canadiens this season, registering 24 points. The 35-year-old provides the Maple Leafs with bolstered depth down the middle, and his 87 games of postseason experience - along with his 52.6 faceoff percentage - should help Toronto down the stretch. It should be noted Toronto also owns San Jose's 2018 second-round pick.As for the package heading Montreal's way, the Canadiens now have four second-round picks in the upcoming draft. Rychel, 23, has 30 points with the Marlies this season, while Valiev, 22, has recorded 15 of his own in 40 contests.Baun, the grandson of former Maple Leafs defenseman Bobby, has 16 points in 54 with Laval this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hart trophy candidate and Boston Bruins leading goal scorer Patrice Bergeron is reportedly a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.Bergeron was seen leaving the locker room following Saturday night's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a walking boot due to an apparent shot block taken during the course of the game.The Bruins have yet to provide an official update on Begeron's status, but Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos is reporting the walking boot was merely a precaution, and that Bergeron's injury is not considered serious.Bergeron is in the midst of another sensational season for Boston, racking up 27 goals and 27 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rick Nash will waste no time donning his new colors, as he'll join the Boston Bruins for Sunday's clash with the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced shortly after acquiring him via trade.The Bruins nabbed Nash from the New York Rangers in a blockbuster deal early Sunday morning, sending Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, prospect Ryan Lindgren, and two draft picks - a first in 2018 and a seventh in 2019 - to Broadway in exchange for the veteran winger.Nash was in his sixth season with the Rangers. In 60 games so far in 2017-18, he's recorded 18 goals and 10 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have landed winger Rick Nash from the New York Rangers on Sunday, the team announced.A trade between the two teams involving Nash was reported to be nearing completion Saturday night, but salary-cap restrictions initially stood in the way of it being finalized.However, it is now being reported New York will be retaining 50 percent of Nash's hefty $7.8-million cap hit, the maximum amount allowed, per McKenzie.In exchange for Nash, the Rangers receive a first-round pick in this year's draft, defensive prospect Ryan Lindgren, forwards Ryan Spooner and Matt Beleskey and a seventh-round pick in 2019. Boston will retain 50 percent of Beleskey's remaining contract ($3.8-million annual average value for two more seasons), according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.Nash's name has been heavily involved in trade rumors over the past couple months, with talks intensifying in recent days, and the addition of a player of his caliber is most definitely a coup for a Bruins club looking to take a serious run at the Cup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins reportedly have a deal in place to acquire forward Rick Nash from the New York Rangers, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.A trade between the Bruins and Rangers involving Nash was reported to be nearing its completion Saturday night, but that salary-cap restrictions stood in the way from it being finalized.However, it is now being reported that New York will be retaining 50 percent of Nash's hefty $7.8-million cap hit, the maximum amount allowed, per McKenzie.Nash's name has been heavily involved in rumored trades over the past couple months, with talks intensifying in recent days. The addition of a player of Nash's caliber is most definitely a major addition for a Bruins club looking to take a serious run at the Cup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With no current NHL players competing at PyeongChang, the men's hockey tournament saw a wide-open field, and in the end, there was more than just medals on the line.While the potential of bringing home gold certainly trumps all, playing on potentially the biggest stage at the premiere sporting event has allowed many players to showcase their talents and put the NHL on notice.Here are five players who, while previously having name recognition, really elevated their NHL stock at PyeongChang.Ilya KovalchukThe return of Kovalchuk to the NHL appears to be almost a certainty at this point. The Russian forward has previously stated his desire to make the move back to the NHL and there were even talks about a potential return before this season, though such a move evidently never panned out.Related - Report: Rangers, Jackets, Leafs believed to be on Kovalchuk's wish listIf there were any doubts about whether Kovalchuk still had what it takes to keep pace in the NHL, his play in PyeongChang should have helped put those thoughts to rest.In six games, Kovalchuk scored five goals and added two assists in the Olympic Athletes from Russia's gold medal triumph. He can still shoot the puck and would be a boost to any offense.Ryan DonatoThe Americans may have come up short of a podium finish in PyeongChang, but one player who certainly did his part was Donato.The 2014 second-round pick of the Boston Bruins led the team with five goals and six points in five games. He's currently playing his third year at Harvard and is having a stellar campaign with 22 goals and 33 points in 24 games.Donato will presumably play one more year at Harvard, after which he could create a bidding war if he decides not to sign with the Bruins.Kirill KaprizovKaprizov really sparked the interest of many after he put up nine goals and 12 points as the captain of Russia at the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship.He surprised many after the tournament when he announced he would play the next three years in the KHL, and has flourished while playing for CSKA Moscow this season with 15 goals and 40 points in 46 games.While playing for OAR in PyeongChang, he has put up an impressive nine points in six games, including a hat trick against Slovenia and the gold medal-winning goal in overtime against Germany.Kaprizov was a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Wild in 2015 and you can bet the team is keeping a close eye on him.Linus OmarkOmark's most memorable moment in the NHL was when he pulled off this impressive shootout goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.However, there were very few shining moments after that and he eventually took his talents to the KHL for the 2014-15 season. He's since rekindled his scoring prowess and has now put up three consecutive 50-point seasons since 2016.While playing for his native Sweden at PyeongChang, the 31-year-old didn't find the back of the net but was still dangerous, setting up seven goals in four games.Eeli TolvanenThere is no doubt that Tolvanen has certainly put the Nashville Predators on high alert.The team has stated that not only will it not include the 18-year-old in any trades at the draft, but it also plans to add him to the club's roster for the playoff run.Tolvanen has been a revelation, putting up 17 goals and 34 points in the KHL, but really put on a show while playing for Finland in PyeongChang. In five games, he notched three goals and a tournament-leading nine points while showing off his remarkable release.With the trade deadline on Monday, it seems Tolvanen could very well be the team's biggest late-season addition.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) The Russians triumphed in the no-NHL tournament where they were favored, winning the men's hockey gold medal at a Winter Olympics where they couldn't even be called Team Russia, use their colors or celebrate while listening to their anthem.Kirill Kaprizov scored the game-winner as ''Team Olympic Athlete From Russia'' came back to beat underdog Germany 4-3 in overtime Sunday in an instant classic that saved a men's tournament lacking buzz not only in South Korea but back in North America, where the NHL season went on during the games for the first time since 1994.It's the first Russian gold medal in hockey since 1992 in Albertville when the team also played under a neutral flag as the Community of Independent States. Russian flags - the team barred from using them by IOC sanctions for state-sponsored doping - hung behind the bench as the team awaited their gold medals.Constantly saying it doesn't matter that they had to wear nondescript red and white uniforms that lacked the Russian Coat of Arms, players gave the Russians their second gold and 17th total medal of the Olympics.This one was expected all along.Stocked with former NHL players - Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, Slava Voynov, Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita Nesterov - the Russians were by far the most talented team in the tournament. U.S. coach Tony Granato said they may be as good as 20 of the 31 NHL teams. The skill primarily from the Kontinental Hockey League was apparent all tournament and especially in the final against Germany, which had all of its players from leagues in its homeland.Nikita Gusev had the go-ahead and tying goals in the third period.Goaltender Vasily Koshechkin let in a fluke goal to Felix Schultz and was hung out to dry on Dominik Kahun's goal that answered Gusev's first goal 10 seconds later. Koshechkin came out to challenge when Jonas Muller slid the puck along the ice for what looked like the game-winner with 3:16 left.A penalty to Russian forward Sergei Kalinin with 2:11 remaining threatened to end the Russians' gold-medal bid in similar disappointment to their quarterfinal loss on home ice in Sochi four years ago.Instead, with Koshechkin pulled for the extra attacker to make it 5-on-5, Gusev scored again to help send the game to overtime.There, Germany goaltender Danny aus den Birken needed to make an edge-of-his-pad save on Kovalchuk all alone driving to the net to keep the game going. An ill-timed high-sticking penalty on Germany's Patrick Reimer 9:11 into overtime put the Russians on the power play, where Kaprizov scored the winner and one of the biggest goals in Russian hockey history.The victory on the ice came hours after the International Olympic Committee voted not to reinstate Team Russia for Sunday night's closing ceremony.That means the Russians will again march under the ''Olympic Athletes from Russia'' name and the Olympic flag. The IOC formally banned Team Russia in December over a doping scheme at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, but invited 168 athletes to compete under the OAR name, making the Russians the third-biggest delegation at the games.Russia had to wait two weeks for its first gold in Pyeongchang before the 15-year-old figure skater Alina Zagitova won with two flawless programs.Voynov, at the Olympics because he was banned from the NHL in 2015 for his domestic abuse conviction, cashed in on a brutal turnover by Germany's Yasin Ehliz in the final moments of the first period. Voynov's shot from just inside the blue line got past aus den Birken and in with just 0.5 seconds on the clock, the kind of killer goal that changes the tide of the game.Russian goal song ''Those Were The Days'' blared over the Gangneung Hockey Centre speakers as fans clad in red, white and blue and holding flags celebrated. They later sang the national anthem as the medal ceremony got under way.---AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and, to a "lesser extent," the Philadelphia Flyers are three teams reportedly looking at Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane as a potential trade target, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.Teams interested in acquiring Kane could be waiting to see what the return might be in a Rick Nash trade, according to McKenzie.Related - Report: Rangers, Bruins working on potential Rick Nash tradeKane is in the final season of his six-year, $31.5-million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent July 1.The 26-year-old has put up 20 goals and 20 assists on an ailing Sabres club that currently sits just one point ahead of the 31st-ranked Arizona Coyotes. With three more points he'll match his 43-point total from last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins and New York Rangers are still working on a possible trade involving Rick Nash, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.A deal is not expected to be completed Saturday night and there are cap-related challenges standing in the way, adds Dreger.The Bruins have a little more than $2 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly, so they would need to figure out a way to accommodate the pending unrestricted free-agent forward's $7.8-million cap hit.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins might have an additional concern as the trade deadline draws ever closer.Patrice Bergeron left the dressing room wearing a walking boot on his right leg after Saturday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.The talented center suffered an apparent shot-block injury that didn't reveal itself until after the game, per Postmedia's Lance Hornby.Bergeron led all Bruins forwards in ice time (19:15) and was on the ice for the final 1:23 of Saturday's contest.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add a recently resurgent team from South Florida to the list of reported suitors for one of the most coveted deadline targets.The Florida Panthers are showing serious interest in New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.McDonagh has a 10-team no-trade list that reportedly doesn't include the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Panthers' cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning.Florida has won seven of its last 10, including a huge 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the back of another controversial goalie interference call, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.Related - Watch: Leafs defeat Bruins after late controversial goal upheldThe win was the team's 10th of the month and established a new franchise record for the most wins in February.

Saturday's matchup between the rival Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs wasn't without controversy.With 1:23 remaining in the final frame, Maple Leafs blue-liner Ron Hainsey beat Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask with a point shot only moments after he was bumped in the crease.The play was reviewed for goalie interference but the on-ice call ultimately stood. Rask disagreed with that decision postgame."I'm pretty sure I would've stopped that puck if I was there," Rask told TSN's Frank Seravalli. "I just couldn't get there on time. I was interfered with."Crucial to the win was that it gave the Maple Leafs 83 points on the season, moving them one ahead of the Bruins for second in the Atlantic.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings will welcome back their leading scorer from last season Saturday night, as Jeff Carter returns from a 55-game absence, the team announced.Carter has been out since Oct. 18 when his ankle was cut by a skate in a game against the Montreal Canadiens.The addition should come as a huge boost for the Kings. Last season, the 33-year-old led the team with 32 goals and 66 points in 82 games and was awarded the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the Kings' Most Valuable Player.Prior to the injury, Carter had put up three assists in six contests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steven Stamkos isn't known as a fighter, but that didn't stop him from coming to the defense of teammate Nikita Kucherov on Saturday.After Montreal Canadiens blue-liner Karl Alzner lined up Kucherov with a near knee-on-knee hit, Stamkos responded, dropping the gloves with the veteran rearguard.The two traded a few jabs in the otherwise underwhelming scuffle. When the dust settled, Alzner was handed a five-minute major, while Stamkos walked away with a major penalty, a 10-minute misconduct, and an instigator call.It marked the third fight of Stamkos' career, with his most recent bout coming against Brad Marchand in 2015.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins reportedly have interest in New York Rangers forward Rick Nash and are engaged in ongoing discussions about acquiring him, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Dreger points out that the Bruins' current cap situation complicates a potential deal. The team has just over $2 million in cap space, while Nash carries a hit of $7.8 million.

The New Jersey Devils extended the contract of head coach John Hynes earlier in the season, co-owner Josh Harris said, according to northjersey.com's Andrew Gross.Hynes was in the final year of a three-year contract, but the Devils exercised a fourth-year option, according to All-Access Host Amanda Stein.

Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane will not be in the lineup Saturday when his team faces the Washington Capitals.It's a precautionary move with the veteran winger likely on the move ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

Brian Gionta is drawing interest from a couple of teams in the Eastern Conference, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports.The Boston Bruins are believed to be one of the teams in the mix for the 39-year-old, LeBrun adds.Gionta is fresh off representing USA as team captain at PyeongChang 2018, recording no points in five games as his squad failed to qualify for the medal round. However, while overseas, his agent was in talks with NHL teams about landing his client a job.The veteran winger last played in the NHL in 2016-17, recording 15 goals and 20 assists in 82 contests with the Buffalo Sabres. He has over 1,000 games under his belt, and an additional 112 coming in the playoffs.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Brandon Davidson to the New York Islanders for a third-round draft pick in 2019, the teams announced Saturday.The left-handed blue-liner has bounced between Edmonton and Montreal over the past year, first via trade and then on waivers.Davidson is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end after his current deal - which carries a cap hit of $1.425 million - expires.With the trade, the Islanders continued their quest to secure a playoff spot and shore up a position of weakness.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tomas Plekanec will not be in the lineup for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, the team announced.The decision comes with the trade deadline set for Monday, and amid reports the veteran center is attracting suitors after Derick Brassard was dealt by the Ottawa Senators on Friday.Plekanec is in the final season of a two-year deal that carries a cap hit of $6 million. In 60 games this term, he's chipped in six goals and 18 assists.The 35-year-old has spent the entirety of his NHL career with the Canadiens, recording 232 goals and 373 assists in 981 regular-season games since being selected 71st overall in 2001.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran forward Joel Ward is reportedly available ahead of the trade deadline.The San Jose Sharks have asked Ward to submit his six-team no-trade list to management within 24 hours, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Ward, 37, is in the final season of his contract, earning $3.275 million. He has five goals and six assists in 46 games, averaging just shy of 12 minutes of ice time per game.There could be a market for the winger, who's been productive in the playoffs in his career, with 22 goals and 52 points in 83 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

You can consider Auston Matthews out until at least March.The Toronto Maple Leafs center has a shoulder injury and while he's officially listed as day to day, head coach Mike Babcock was a little more forthcoming Saturday when he confirmed Matthews won't play against Boston, with Josh Leivo stepping into the lineup."We always tell you day to day, that usually means 10 and we go from there," Babcock said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton."He's fine, he's injured, he's fine," Babcock added. "He's going to get better. He'll be back soon."Matthews leads Toronto in goals (28), points (50), and average ice time among forwards (18:19). His dominance at even strength - he has only two goals and five assists on the power play - is impossible to replace.William Nylander will take Matthews' spot at center, and Connor Brown and Kasperi Kapanen are moving up in the lineup:

Ottawa Senators defenseman Johnny Oduya won't play in Saturday's game against Philadelphia, and head coach Guy Boucher hinted the scratch is related to Monday's trade deadline and not an injury.

The New Jersey Devils will retire Patrik Elias' No. 26 prior to Saturday's game against the New York Islanders, joining defensemen Ken Daneyko (No. 3), Scott Stevens (No. 4), Scott Niedermayer (No. 27), and goaltender Martin Brodeur (No. 30).In advance of the honor, Devils past and present reflected on Elias' game and impact on the organization, both on and off the ice. Here are some excerpts from those remarks, via Mike Morreale of NHL.com.Head coach John Hynes:

The Ottawa Senators appear to have their goaltender of the future.In pulling off a three-team deal Friday that sent Derick Brassard to Pittsburgh - with Vegas retaining 40 percent of the forward's salary - general manager Pierre Dorion landed Swedish goalie Filip Gustavsson, whom he's understandably high on."In this deal, we have acquired an elite goaltending prospect," Dorion said. "We feel that Gustavsson is one of the game's top goaltending prospects, a dynamic talent who has excelled in the Swedish Hockey League as a teenager and was the top goaltender at the most recent world junior championship."Gustavsson, 19, was drafted 55th overall by the Penguins in 2016 but has yet to make his North American professional debut. He's appeared in 18 games for Swedish club Luleå this season, posting a save percentage of .917. At the recent world juniors, he posted a .924 save percentage in six games while also winning a silver medal and being named the best goalie in the tournament.The Senators also received a first-round pick in 2018, a third-round pick in 2019, and defenseman Ian Cole, who will reportedly be flipped prior to Monday's trade deadline.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vladimir Tarasenko has come to the defense of his goaltender.Following Friday's 4-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Blues forward was quick to stand behind netminder Jake Allen, who ended the night with just 19 saves and caught the attention of the boo birds at Scottrade Center."Me personally, I know how hard (Allen) works, I know how much he's done for the organization and especially this year and last year," Tarasenko told Lou Korac of NHL.com. "I don't understand why people blame the goalies. That's wrong."Captain Alex Pietrangelo echoed Tarasenko's comments."I don't like it. It's been bothering me," Pietrangelo said of the home crowd's reaction to Allen. "I'm not going to say anything about the fans, but it's disappointing to hear that. We've got his back."While there was at least one goal Friday that Allen would have liked back, the team in front of him did little to produce any offense of its own, and Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck came away with a shutout.The Blues have registered just three goals in their past three games.As for Allen, Friday's loss brings his season record to 19-18-2, coupled with a .906 save percentage.For the team's Sunday matchup against the Nashville Predators, it's possible that Blues bench boss Mike Yeo could turn to second-stringer Carter Hutton, who owns a 15-6-2 record and .938 save rate this year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jim Rutherford has orchestrated many moves over the years, but the deal he made Friday for center Derick Brassard was certainly the most complicated."This is the most complex trade I've made," the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager said. "We thought we had the deal made earlier in the day - we had to make a couple changes. There were cap issues and how it was made with the three teams."Initial reports indicated a deal was reached between the Penguins and Ottawa Senators, however, the transaction was deemed unacceptable by the league.Enter the Vegas Golden Knights, who, as part of the three-way trade, first acquired Brassard in order to retain 40 percent of his contract. The Golden Knights then dealt Brassard to the Penguins for forward Ryan Reaves and a fourth-round draft pick in 2018.For the Penguins, the addition of Brassard ends Rutherford's season-long search for a third-line center."He's got 18 goals, 38 points. He plays center. We've tried to get more depth at center and more insurance there," Rutherford added. "What we're trying to do now is win."Brassard also makes the Penguins one of the league's deepest down the middle, as he'll line up behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.The addition wasn't lost in the locker room, as the Penguins aim to be the first team to capture three straight Stanley Cups since 1983."Management stepped up," said Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist.A 6-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday moved the Penguins to 76 points on the season and into first place in the Metropolitan Division.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ian Cole better wait on investigating Ottawa real estate.Sent to the Senators in the three-team trade that made center Derick Brassard a member of the Penguins, the former Pittsburgh blue-liner could be headed to another new home prior to Monday's trade deadline, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.With the Senators sitting outside of a playoff position, the team is seemingly entering a sell-off prior to Feb. 26, with defenseman Dion Phaneuf already dealt to the Los Angeles Kings earlier this month. The possibility remains that Ottawa could also move captain Erik Karlsson.Cole, 29, has collected 13 points in 47 games with Pittsburgh this year. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Derick Brassard trade required some re-tooling, but it's a done deal.Here's the full trade, as confirmed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night:Pittsburgh receives Brassard, forward Vincent Dunn, winger Tobias Lindberg, and a third-round pick in 2018.The Ottawa Senators get defenseman Ian Cole, goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson, a first-rounder in 2018, and a third-round selection in 2019.Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights acquire forward Ryan Reaves and a fourth-rounder in June's draft.The Golden Knights are also retaining 40 percent of Brassard's salary this season as part of the trade.He's earning $3.5 million in total salary this season and next, per CapFriendly, and his cap hit is $5 million.The NHL reportedly asked the three teams involved to rework the deal earlier Friday.

Call it the domino effect.With Ottawa Senators center Derick Brassard on the move Friday, teams are turning their attention to Montreal Canadiens pivot Tomas Plekanec, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports.The veteran center is a pending unrestricted free agent and is a prime target to be dealt ahead of Monday's trade deadline, particularly with the Canadiens sitting outside of the playoff race.Plekanec, 35, has spent his entire career with the Canadiens, and has been a steady offensive contributor up until the past two campaigns. Through 60 games this season, Plekanec has tallied six goals and 18 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Derick Brassard deal is reportedly getting a makeover.It's now being reworked as a three-team trade between the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vegas Golden Knights, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.The clubs are still ironing out wrinkles in the transaction, which was first reported by Dreger as a two-way swap between the Senators and Penguins earlier Friday.Ottawa originally agreed to send Brassard to the Penguins for defenseman Ian Cole, goaltender Filip Gustavsson, and a 2018 first-round pick, but the two clubs then expanded it to a three-way deal before the NHL told them it needed to be tweaked.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers look a little different these days, but there will soon be some semblance of familiarity.Chris Kreider is making his return Friday night against the Minnesota Wild, head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed before the game.The talented winger missed 24 games due to a blood clot in his arm and hasn't played since Dec. 27.Kreider chipped in 11 goals and 22 points in 37 games before being sidelined.Rick Nash and Michael Grabner were held out of Thursday's loss to the Montreal Canadiens amid ongoing trade discussions, and Grabner was traded to the New Jersey Devils shortly after the game ended.Nash will sit again Friday night, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thomas Vanek says he would be willing to return for another season with the Vancouver Canucks, but that desire comes with a rather significant caveat.The impending unrestricted free-agent forward told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre that he'd take another one-year deal to play with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, but the twins won't tell him if they're going to re-sign.Earlier this month, Canucks general manager Jim Benning told MacIntyre that the twins still hadn't made a decision about their future after meeting with the club's brass and that all sides agreed to wait until season's end to revisit the situation.The 37-year-old Swedish forwards are also set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, and while Benning's revelation suggests they'll likely remain with Vancouver through Monday's trade deadline, their linemate may not.Vanek, who turned 34 last month, is once again a potential deadline target for opposing teams, with 16 goals and 40 points in 60 games for the retooling Canucks.If he is traded before Monday at 3 p.m. ET, he'd still have the opportunity to reunite with Vancouver as a free agent in the summer if the Canucks were interested in bringing him back at that point.Vanek signed a one-year contract with a $2-million cap hit back in September.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly acquiring Derick Brassard, but the deal isn't quite done yet.Pittsburgh is landing the centerman from the Ottawa Senators for defenseman Ian Cole, goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson, and a first-round pick in 2018, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.However, the transaction doesn't appear as simple as that.

Auston Matthews' shoulder injury won't change how the Toronto Maple Leafs approach the trade deadline, head coach Mike Babcock said Friday, per Sportsnet's Chris Johnston."We’re not going to do anything foolish," he said. "I know that for sure."This after Babcock revealed Matthews will be "out for a bit" with a shoulder injury and officially listing the young center as day-to-day.William Nylander assumed top-line center duties in Friday's practice:

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews will be out "for a bit" with a shoulder injury, head coach Mike Babcock revealed Friday, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.His official status is day to day after undergoing an MRI on the shoulder, which was injured late in Thursday's overtime win over the New York Islanders.The Maple Leafs play three games in four days beginning Saturday against Boston, followed by back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday in Tampa Bay and Florida. Toronto then has a break leading into an outdoor game against Washington on March 3.Matthews missed time earlier this season with concussion symptoms. In 53 games, he's recorded 28 goals and 22 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders have signed Josh Bailey to a six-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.The value of the deal was not disclosed, but TSN's Bob McKenzie reports it's worth $30 million over the six-year term."Josh has become one of the core members of the New York Islanders," said Islanders president and general manager Garth Snow. "He has developed within our system for several years and it's exciting to see him mature into the player we always had confidence he would become."To come into the past few seasons and see Josh set new career highs each year has been impressive and we're excited to see him continue to do that with the organization as we move forward."The 28-year-old was drafted ninth overall by the Islanders in 2008 and is in the midst of the most productive season of his career to date, amassing 15 goals and 47 assists for 62 points through 58 games.Bailey is currently in the final season of a five-year contract that carried a salary cap hit of $3.3 million and was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.A good part of his success of late is due to playing with John Tavares, who can also hit UFA status this summer.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hold your breath, Toronto. Maple Leafs savior Auston Matthews is set to undergo an MRI on Friday for what's believed to be an injured shoulder, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.Matthews was hurt late in the third period Thursday during Toronto's game against the Islanders after colliding with New York forward Cal Clutterbuck. He went to the locker room and didn't return.The 20-year-old star is listed as day-to-day, head coach Mike Babcock told reporters Friday.An injury of any severity could be a massive blow to a Maple Leafs club sitting pretty in the Atlantic Division standings, as Matthews is once again leading his club in goals and points with 28 and 50, respectively.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While most of the hockey world goes nuts over the potential of Senators captain Erik Karlsson getting shipped out of town, another Ottawa player is reportedly garnering a lot of attention.Senators pivot Derick Brassard is being targeted by as many as seven teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.Brassard is an experienced centerman with legit goal-scoring ability. His playoff point production - 55 points in 78 games - and toughness would be a solid deadline addition to any postseason-bound club.Through 58 games this campaign, he has notched 18 goals and 20 assists in 18:21 of ice time per night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pulling the trigger on a trade at any time during the NHL season comes with obvious uncertainty for front-office executives. Acquired players have the potential to not fit in, subsequent contract negotiations can get messy, or expectations for performance are simply not met.However, dealing players and tinkering with rosters at the trade deadline is the riskiest time of year for any general manager - especially if a goaltender is involved.The Philadelphia Flyers' move to acquire netminder Petr Mrazek was obviously precipitated by the unfortunate injuries to both No. 1 starter Brian Elliott and backup Michal Neuvirth in a matter of a couple weeks. But that doesn't change the fact Mrazek's spotty track record leaves the potential for the move to blow up in Ron Hextall's face.And, if the recent history of deadline goalie trades provides any indication, it's of the fact Mrazek could have a hard time adjusting to a new team with fewer than 25 games left before the postseason begins - complicating matters for a Philly squad looking to be a legit playoff threat.That wouldn't be the first time, however, a trade-deadline deal - or one in the preceding weeks - involving a goalie didn't pan out for the team looking for stability in the blue paint.March 14, 2000: Senators acquire Tom Barrasso from PenguinsSome of the younger puckheads out there might not remember the lanky 'tender or his move to the nation's capital. But Barrasso was brought in at the 2000 deadline in hopes of solidifying a goaltending situation in Ottawa that has seemingly always been the club's Achilles heel. The outcome was far from desirable.After being swept in the playoffs the previous season with the goalie duo of Damian Rhodes and Ron Tugnutt, the Senators acquired Barrasso for the stretch run and playoffs for what was supposed to be a stronger veteran option.Unfortunately for Ottawa, the move backfired almost immediately, as Barrasso registered only three wins out of seven remaining regular-season games to go along with an ugly .879 save percentage. He followed that by allowing 16 goals in six postseason games as the Sens lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a first-round, six-game series in which they never truly competed.March 9, 2006: Oilers acquire Dwayne Roloson from WildA rare deadline goalie trade that initially worked out, the Edmonton Oilers gave up a first- and third-round pick to add Dwayne Roloson ahead of the postseason push in 2006. Roloson would go on to post a respectable record of 8-7-4 for the remainder of the regular season.Nothing to get overly hyped about, but take in Roloson's postseason numbers before passing judgment on this trade: He was lights out for his club once the calendar flipped to April, registering a playoff record of 12-5 to go along with a sparkling .927 save percentage and 2.50 goals-against average.Roloson's late-season addition was instrumental in galvanizing the Oilers' locker room ahead of the playoff drive, and he was perhaps the biggest reason for the team qualifying for its first Stanley Cup in over a decade.Unfortunately for Edmonton fans, the dream season went up in smoke when Roloson injured his knee in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, missing the rest of the Cup series. Ty Conklin replaced Roloson, and the Oilers fell painstakingly short in seven games.Edmonton would subsequently miss out on the postseason the next three years with Roloson in net, but his deadline addition was notable, nevertheless.March 4, 2009: Senators acquire Pascal Leclaire from Blue JacketsThe Senators were at it again with a questionable deadline goalie add in the spring of 2009, shipping out centerman Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for injured netminder Pascal Leclaire and a second-rounder.Leclaire had undergone ankle surgery earlier in the year and missed the entire 2008-09 season, and would go on to play only 48 regular-season games (16-21-3, .894 save percentage, 3.09 goals-against average) for a Senators team still struggling to find an answer in net.It should be noted the second-round pick Ottawa received turned into then-promising young netminder Robin Lehner, so the deal wasn't a complete dumpster fire for former Senators GM Bryan Murray.Still, the Leclaire experiment was a deadline disaster that still irks some Sens fans to this day.Feb. 28, 2014: Blues acquire Ryan Miller from SabresA deadline goalie move supposed to take a surging St. Louis Blues over the top ended up a massive disappoint for a team with legit Cup aspirations.After Miller's acquisition from the Buffalo Sabres in February 2014, St. Louis backed into the playoffs by losing their final six regular-season contests - five of which were hung on Miller. A decent 10-8-1 record and .903 save percentage down the stretch was followed up by a shaky first-round performance in which Miller allowed 19 goals on only 185 shots in six games.The Blues were unceremoniously bounced from the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks, ending St. Louis' season much earlier than many expected, especially after bringing in a goalie of Miller's caliber.Miller came in on an expiring deal and didn't re-up with the Blues, jetting for the Vancouver Canucks and a three-year, $18-million deal in the offseason, making his deadline acquisition that much more disappointing for St. Louis.March 4, 2017: Kings acquire Ben Bishop from LightningAnother deadline move motivated by an expiring contract, Bishop was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings from the Tampa Bay Lightning as a pending unrestricted free agent who could add some much-needed depth and support in net for No. 1 goalie Jon Quick.Quick missed most of the season due to injury but split time with Bishop down the stretch, to mixed results for the latter 'tender.In the seven games after joining L.A. at the deadline, Bishop managed just two wins and a lackluster .900 save percentage. The Kings would wind up missing the playoffs for only the second time in eight years.The Kings also paid a decent price to get Bishop, giving up Peter Budaj, defensive prospect Erik Cernak, and two late-round picks. Bishop was subsequently dealt in the offseason to the Dallas Stars, ending his short and disappointing tenure with the Kings.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canada suffered a shocking 4-3 loss to Germany in the men's hockey semifinal at PyeongChang 2018, crushing its bid to win a third consecutive gold medal.Germany will now face the Olympic Athletes from Russia in the gold-medal game, while Canada will square off against the Czech Republic for bronze.To little surprise, Twitter had a field day in reaction to the loss.The shock began during the second period of the game when Germany took a 4-1 lead and Canadian forward Gilbert Brule was ejected for a brutal hit in which he left his feet to make contact.

The Boston Bruins are exceeding all expectations by challenging for top spot in the Eastern Conference this season, and head coach Bruce Cassidy believes team chemistry has been key.Whether the Bruins should risk disrupting that cohesiveness prior to the trade deadline has been a topic of discussion between Cassidy and general manager Don Sweeney."I think it's been factored into conversations between me and Donny (Sweeney) that we have a group with some real togetherness there this season," Cassidy said, according to Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston. "At the end of the day, if you can add and make your team better then you always have to look at it, and Donny is looking at that right now."Boston has made a couple of moves, adding defenseman Nick Holden from the New York Rangers and sending little-used forward Frank Vatrano to the Florida Panthers.Cassidy, however, seems content with his lineup as it is."But after that, I do worry about if we subtract somebody from the room. If you're adding and you're not subtracting, i.e. future assets, then as a coach you always prefer to go that way. But Donnie will do what's best and as a coaching staff, we'll take it from there, so to speak. But there is a good chemistry with that group ... a very good chemistry in that locker room."Based on those comments, a deal involving picks or prospects may be in order in lieu of trading young players already contributing to the team's success.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Germany has upset Canada 4-3 in the semifinals of the men's hockey tournament at the Pyeongchang Olympics.Canada trailed 3-0 and 4-1 before battling back to cut the deficit to one in the third period Friday. Canada played the second half of the game without goal-scorer Gilbert Brule, who was ejected for a brutal hit to the head of Germany's David Wolf at center ice.Brooks Macek, Matthias Plachta, Frank Mauer and Patrick Hager all scored for Germany.Kevin Poulin started for Canada because of a shoulder/collarbone injury to No. 1 goaltender Ben Scrivens. Poulin allowed four goals on 15 shots but was less to blame than Brule and other players who took several undisciplined penalties.Germany will play the Russians in the finals Sunday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville Predators general manager David Poile appears to have set some spending limits in advance of Monday's trade deadline.Poile reiterated Thursday that he's leaning more toward doing nothing than something based on the asking prices set by his colleagues, according to Thomas Willis from the Predators' website."Every team we talk to asks for Eeli Tolvanen, and he's not available," Poile said.The Predators selected Tolvanen 30th overall in 2017 and he recently recorded three goals and six assists in five games at the Olympics. He's expected the join the Preds for the stretch run.Poile, however, is open to dealing the team's 2018 first-round pick:

The Florida Panthers capped off an emotional night in spectacular fashion on Thursday.On a night where the club paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., forward Vincent Trocheck brought the crowd to its feet, scoring the game-winning goal over the Washington Capitals with just 18.7 seconds left in regulation.