Regardless of the outcome, the Feb. 26 trade deadline is sure to be one of the most-watched dates on the NHL calendar.As teams jockey for playoff position, front offices carefully weigh every potential deal, knowing the right player could be the difference between springtime hockey or early nights on the dock.A number of top trade targets could be on the move in the coming weeks. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages attached to acquiring five of the most talked-about names.Max PaciorettyPros: Top-six forward. Genuine 30-goal threat. Extra year of control.Cons: Streaky scorer. Questionable leadership skills. Lack of physicality.2017-18 stats:GamesGoalsAssistsTOICF%S%55161719:1053.38.1Arguably the biggest fish in the trade-deadline pond, Pacioretty's appeal to potential suitors is quite obvious: The Canadiens captain is a perennial 30-goal man with a lightning-fast release.As Montreal languishes near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the likelihood of Patches getting shipped out of la belle province increases with each Canadiens loss.However, he hasn't scored in six straight games and he's on pace for one of the worst offensive campaigns of his career, so Montreal might be having more trouble than the club initially expected with securing an acceptable return.Regardless, the 29-year-old American has the kind of size and skill that could put any competing club over the top.Patrick MaroonPros: Rugged winger with exceptional size. Can contribute offensively. Adds toughness.Cons: Defensive liability. Poor skater. Inconsistent scorer.2017-18 stats:GamesGoalsAssistsTOICF%S%53141517:0354.612Another guy who's recently struggled to fill the scoresheet, Maroon has only one goal in his last eight games. But a player of his pedigree is attractive even when he's lighting the lamp less frequently.At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Maroon is a perfect fit for a team looking to get bigger and tougher up front. The 29-year-old has also showed his softer side since joining the Oilers at the deadline in 2016, notching 41 goals in 134 games.Playing on Connor McDavid's wing over the past season and a half has obviously boosted Maroon's offensive output, but he can chip in with a timely goal or assist regardless of his linemates.A character guy who brings an element of truculence and scoring, Maroon's services are likely being courted by more than a few general mangers.Thomas VanekPros: Playoff experience. Affordable. Big shot. Depth scoring.Cons: Weak possession player. Defensive liability. Slow-footed.2017-18 stats:GamesGoalsAssistsTOICF%S%56162213:5844.614.8Rumored to be moved at seemingly every trade deadline, Vanek's days as an elite sniper are behind him. But the 34-year-old winger can still produce, and he's proved it this year in a bottom-six role for the Canucks - despite getting limited minutes with offensively challenged players such as Sam Gagner and Alex Burmistrov, or with the aging Sedins.A seasoned veteran with a propensity to put up points in the playoffs (20 goals, 14 assists in 63 games), Vanek would make a solid addition to any postseason-bound squad looking for a rental with some pop left in his stick.It's happened before and it is likely to happen again: Vanek should be rocking yet another jersey before the end of February.Evander KanePros: Top-line potential. Elite skater. Plays with aggressive edge. Pure scorer.Cons: Lacks vision. Poor playmaking skills. Volatile attitude.2017-18 stats:GamesGoalsAssistsTOICF%S%57182019:2350.58.7Fans are probably well aware that the Sabres have been heavily shopping Kane for at least a month. Given Kane's pending unrestricted free agency and the fact he hasn't even discussed a new contract, expect the speedy forward to be on the move in the coming days.Though there are concerns about his attitude and his history of locker-room issues, Kane would make an excellent deadline addition to any team seriously vying for the coveted silver chalice. Size, speed, shot, skill - Kane has it all, and he is only 26.The main reason he hasn't been dealt is likely Buffalo's asking price. The Sabres were previously reported to be looking for at least a first-round draft pick and a prospect, according to freelance reporter Chris Nichols.If a potential trade partner could muster up the courage (or desperation) to sacrifice that amount of future talent for a rental player, Kane is a game-changer that could catapult a team from pretender to playoff contender overnight. Mike GreenPros: Power-play quarterback. Excellent skater. Consistent point producer.Cons: Injury concerns. Prone to defensive lapses.2017-18 stats:GamesGoalsAssistsTOICF%S%5562322:2147.75.4A locker-room leader with 76 games of postseason experience, Green is the most sought-after rearguard on the trade market.Despite signing with the offensively challenged Red Wings in 2015, Green's reputation as a power-play specialist who can rack up points with the best of them hasn't suffered - he's on pace for his fifth consecutive 35-plus-point season.He can log heavy minutes, play special teams, and contribute offensively.If Green can avoid the D-zone breakdowns he's liable to occasionally commit, Green is just the type of blue-liner that can address a playoff team's defensive needs.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks signed general manager Jim Benning to a multi-year extension Wednesday, the team announced.Benning is the 11th GM in Canucks history and has held the position since May of 2014."I'm grateful to the Aquilini family and to Trevor Linden for the commitment they've made to me and for their confidence in our long-term vision for the Vancouver Canucks," Benning said in a team release."I'm excited about the direction of our team and the depth and talent we continue to build. I believe we are on the right track and I am pleased to continue the work we started four years ago when we set out to build a championship team."Before joining the Canucks' front office, Benning served as assistant GM with the Boston Bruins for seven seasons, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety was busy Wednesday afternoon, handing out fines to three different players.Most notable was Winnipeg Jets rearguard Dustin Byfuglien's $5,000 fine for slashing Washington Capitals forward Jay Beagle on Tuesday night in Winnipeg.

Jan Mursak earned hero status in Slovenia on Wednesday, scoring both the late equalizer and overtime winner in his country's 3-2 comeback victory over Team USA in the men's hockey opener.Here's everything you need to know about the Slovenian captain:Only Slovenian Olympian with NHL experienceMursak was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Draft. He's one of three Slovenians to ever play in the league. Detroit received a decent return on value, with Mursak ranking 63rd in games played (46 over three seasons) in his draft class.Peter Forsberg is one of his heroesIt appears Mursak drew inspiration Wednesday from his idol, former Colorado Avalanche great Peter Forsberg.Forsberg was a standout at Lillehammer in 1994, guiding Sweden to a gold medal while recording eight points during the tournament. Although it's unlikely Mursak will steer Slovenia to the podium, he's certainly off to a great start.Babcock believed in himMursak's stint with the Red Wings was unremarkable, but he earned a vote of confidence from Mike Babcock, who served as the team's head coach prior to joining the Toronto Maple Leafs. After scoring 24 goals in the AHL during the 2009-10 season, the coach saw the potential for Mursak to become a key contributor in Detroit."He can really shoot the puck. He scores every day in practice,'' Babcock said of Mursak in February 2012, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com. "You don't score in practice and not translate it to games eventually. We think he's going to be an important player one day."Reportedly spends his summers in MichiganIt could be an awkward summer for Mursak.According to Gregg Krupa of The Detroit News, he spends parts of his summers in Saginaw, Mich., where he played during his junior career for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit.Mursak will certainly have a compelling story for his neighbors if Slovenia advances further through the tournament than the U.S.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings made a huge splash Tuesday by acquiring Dion Phaneuf to shore up the back end, but it appears they're also seeking help up front, as TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports that they're shopping for a mid-level scoring winger.Luckily for general manager Rob Blake, there is no shortage of such players on the market. Evander Kane and Rick Nash are the two most notable names rumored to be on the move, but players like Michael Grabner, Thomas Vanek, and Patrick Maroon could all be available as rentals.The Kings are tied for 16th in goals per game, and after Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Tyler Toffoli, their forward production seriously tails off. The type of addition they're seeking, plus the impending return of Jeff Carter from injured reserve, would make Los Angeles a scary springtime opponent.The club currently sits one point out of a playoff spot, but a ticket to the dance appears to be all the Kings need. They won the Stanley Cup in 2012 as the Western Conference's 8-seed, then lifted the trophy again two years later as a sixth seed.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Well, if you thought the men's hockey showcase at PyeongChang 2018 was going to be boring or uneventful due to the lack of NHL-ready talent, think again.On the opening day of the tournament, colossal underdog Slovenia provided one of the biggest Olympic hockey upsets in recent memory, shocking the United States in overtime by a score of 3-2.The U.S. was pegged to be in contention for at least a medal and went into Wednesday's contest as heavy favorites against a Slovenian side that had only two previous Olympic victories in its history.Not to take anything away from Slovenia, but this was a collapse of epic proportions on the part of the Americans. So naturally, Twitter had a field day.

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) Jan Mursak scored the tying goal in the final minutes of regulation and the winner in overtime as Slovenia came back to stun the United States 3-2 Wednesday night at Kwandong Hockey Centre in each team's Olympic opener.Mursak, Slovenia's only player with NHL experience, scored with goaltender Gasper Kroselj pulled for the extra attacker with 1:37 left in the third period and scored the winner 38 seconds into overtime. As Mursak's shot went past goaltender Ryan Zapolski, U.S. players hung their heads on the bench before Slovenia players celebrated with their fans.It wasn't the only surprise of the night, though the U.S. like all the other teams is playing without NHL players for the first time since 1994. Across town, the favored Russians opened Olympic play with a 3-2 loss to Slovakia.Zapolski allowed three goals on 25 shots, including the first goal by Jan Urbas. Kroselj stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced to pick up the victory, giving up goals to Brian O'Neill and Jordan Greenway.After a feeling-out period in the first few minutes and American defenseman Noah Welch sliding in front of a wide-open net for the save of the game, the U.S. began drawing penalties with its speed and then found a way to cash in. Forward Garrett Roe flew down the left wing and dished the puck to a waiting O'Neill to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead 17:44 in.Kroselj made a handful of quality saves to keep Slovenia in the game, and Zapolski had to do the same in the second period, stopping Urbas on a one-timer with Greenway in the box and the U.S. on the penalty kill.Greenway, who was noticeably frustrated when he was denied on a point-blank chance early, made up for it with a heads-up play that made it 2-0. Defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti's initial shot pinballed off O'Neill in front and Greenway sped to the net to put home the rebound 12:57 into the second.The U.S. doubled up Slovenia in shots after two but couldn't pull away and increase its margin of error. It became razor thin 5:49 into the third when Gregorc beat Zapolski to get Slovenia on the board.With captain Brian Gionta off for tripping, the U.S. got a couple of scares when Slovenia hit the post early on the power play and then almost scored moments later. With 1:37 left, Mursak scored from in front when playing 6-on-5. That goal forced overtime, where Slovenia continued to ride its momentum.NOTES: Defensemen Matt Gilroy and Noah Welch wore the ''As'' as alternate captains. ... Brandon Maxwell backed up Zapolski as veteran goalie David Leggio was scratched along with forward Chad Kolarik and defenseman Will Borgen. ... The attendance was announced as 3,348 at Kwandong Hockey Centre on the campus of Kwandong Catholic University.---Follow Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno---More AP Olympics: https://wintergames.ap.orgCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When the NHL made its decision not to let its players participate at PyeongChang 2018, it was met by immediate trepidation among those who were eagerly anticipating watching the world's best battle for a gold medal.With no Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Patrik Laine, and Erik Karlsson, among many, Olympic and hockey fans will turn to their replacements; a vast group of former NHLers and highly regarded prospects.With action officially underway Saturday morning, here are five under-the-radar players to keep an eye on at PyeongChang 2018.Ilya Sorokin, Russian athleteAge: 22 | Position: Goalie | Team: CSKA Moscow (New York Islanders)Sorokin enters the competition as one of the tournament's most talented goalies. The Islanders drafted the youngster in the third round in 2014, as seven other goalies went before him. Only time will tell, but the talented Russian netminder could prove to be quite the steal for New York.Sorokin, fully committed to the KHL, has put up video-game-like numbers for CSKA Moscow. Since hearing his name called by the Islanders, he's put up a 1.41 goals-against average, 23 shutouts, a .937 save percentage, and a 66-14 record in 103 games. If he gets the starting job, which he should, his performance will be monitored very closely.Gilbert Brule, CanadaAge: 31 | Position: Center | Team: Kunlun Red Star (KHL)As Crosby, Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos, and John Tavares watch from home, the veteran Brule will help to guide a Canadian team to back-to-back-to-back Olympic gold medals. No easy task.While Chris Kelly, Wojtek Wolski, and Maxim Lapierre all have extensive NHL experience, Brule - drafted sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005 - should be a key contributor. Brule failed to live up to the hype he generated as a prospect, topping out at 37 points with the Edmonton Oilers in 2009.Now playing in his fifth season in the KHL, Brule is in the midst of a breakout campaign with 35 points (17 goals) in 47 games. As Canada shoots for a medal, it's Brule's time to shine on the big stage.Troy Terry, United StatesAge: 20 | Position: Center | Team: University of Denver (Anaheim Ducks)Similiar to Sorokin, the 20-year-old Terry is one of the tournament's most intriguing young players.Terry, a fifth-round pick of the Ducks in 2015, has been dominant playing for the University of Denver over the past two seasons. After compiling 45 points and 22 goals in 35 games in 2016-17, he's been equally effective this year with 32 points (11 goals) in 28 contests.He made waves with his performance at the 2017 World Junior Championship, scoring three shootout goals to help the U.S. advance past Russia. He'd go on to score the lone shootout goal in the gold-medal game against Canada, sealing the win.Jiri Sekac, Czech RepublicAge: 25 | Position: Right Wing | Team: Kazan Ak-Bars (KHL)Montreal Canadiens fans are most familiar with Sekac, a once-highly touted prospect out of the KHL. Signed by the Habs in 2014 after a solid 28-point campaign with Prague Lev, Sekac failed to produce in North America and struggled to earn an expanded role under former head coach Michel Terrien, whom Sekac criticized following a trade to the Ducks in 2015.Now comfortably back in the KHL, Sekac has been a steady contributor with Kazan. In 48 games this season, he has 15 goals and a team-high 40 points. On a Czech squad lacking high-end skill, the 25-year-old will need to be an offensive catalyst.Linus Omark, SwedenAge: 31 | Position: Left Wing | Team: Ufa Salavat Yulayev (KHL)Few rookies have the confidence to pull out a shootout move like Omark's from 2010, but it worked, and the goal became a talking point at the time it was executed.Omark managed to impress in 51 games on a young Oilers team, putting up 27 points and leading many to believe he would be part of the new wave of talent in Edmonton. The good times were short-lived, as Omark was later traded to Buffalo and would last only 13 games before leaving for Sweden.Much like other European-born hockey players who failed to stick in the NHL, Omark has since been incredibly consistent in the KHL. He compiled over 50 points in each of the past two years and has surpassed that mark again this season, with a team-high 51 points in 53 contests. Whether or not Omark breaks out an epic shootout move at the games remains to be seen.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Blake Wheeler knows the Winnipeg Jets still have plenty of work to do as the season winds down.Even after a hard-fought comeback win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, and despite a very successful regular season to date, the Jets captain emphatically stated it's far too early to consider his team to be Stanley Cup contenders."I just think that we've got to pump the brakes here a little bit," he said after the game. "We're talking Stanley Cup contender, we haven't even made the f---ing playoffs yet. We're building this up a bit bigger than it is. We're just trying to get better every single game."Wheeler added it's difficult to avoid hearing how heightened the expectations are in a small market like Winnipeg, especially after the team has posted a record of 33-15-9 and sits second in the competitive Central Division."That's what makes this a special place to play," Wheeler continued. "But this is an organization that has never won a playoff game. So we're working on changing that culture every single day.Wheeler, of course, has been part of the organization dating back to late in the Atlanta days. He's seen the Jets appear in only four playoff games since moving to Winnipeg, resulting in four losses to Anaheim back in 2015.He's keeping expectations in check, but not making the playoffs or going four-and-out would seem to be a great disappointment for the up-and-coming Jets.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first big-name deadline trade has been made.While both the Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings took the ice on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively, behind closed doors their respected general managers were busy cooking up a deal.That deal ended up as Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson being shipped to Hollywood in exchange for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore.There's no question that a Phaneuf-for-Gaborik trade would have blown the roof off of the NHL a decade ago, but with father time catching up to both, it's a little less significant this time around.That being said, the deal has major implications for both and each team is better having made the trade than they were before.Kings get their guyIt was no secret that the Kings approached the deadline with the hopes of giving a boost to their blue line. As The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun noted earlier in the day, the club was in pursuit of a No. 4 or No. 5 defenseman.They were also looking to make a hockey deal and not necessarily to trade for a rental. Check and check.Phaneuf can play in all situations, can eat up minutes, and can defend against the game's biggest names. For the Kings, there's not much to hate about that kind of player being slotted into the club's bottom pairings.With Phaneuf, the club now boasts a solid back end that also includes Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez. Not too shabby.With the trade, the Kings were able to get Marian Gaborik off their books. With a cap hit of $4.875 million for the next three years, an inability to stay healthy long term, and decreased production, he was more of a liability with the club - who is starved for offense - than he was an asset.As for the swap of Shore for Thompson, the Kings get a more veteran presence with Thompson who joins the club with nearly 600 games of NHL experience, compared to Shore, who at 25 years of age, has 221 games under his belt.Shore is also set to become a restricted free agent, so dealing him avoids the potential of Rob Blake having to hand Shore a raise from his current $925,000 deal.But while money is good and all, let's face it, the Kings are still eyeing the playoffs.The club currently sits three points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, but should get a boost in the form of Jeff Carter - who's expected to return to the lineup soon.After missing out in two of the last three seasons, the Kings are eager to get back into the postseason. Phaneuf gives them a push in that direction and with the deadline still two weeks away, the team has ample time to get another potential deal done.Senators save much-needed moneyWhoever said Phaneuf's contract was untradeable was severely mistaken.For the second time since signing a monstrous seven-year, $49-million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013, Phaneuf's been dealt.The Senators were able to get out from his $7-million cap hit - with three more years on his deal - even though they will still pay 25 percent of his contract.In Gaborik, the Sens get a player who can produce offensively - albeit not nearly at the same clip as he once could - and someone who could serve as an extra veteran voice in a dressing room that looks to have dealt with some dysfunction this season.Further, despite his cap hit of $4.875 million for the next three years, he is owed much less in actual salary: $4.575 million next season, $3.175 million in 2019-20, and $3.075 million in 2020-21.Of course, there's always the potential to buyout Gaborik's contract to shore up even more money. But that's for Pierre Dorion to decide later.Then there is Thompson's $1.65 million coming off the books, which helps. As for Shore, he enters as a pending restricted free agent next season, so the team could elect to not offer him a qualifying offer in the offseason, making him a UFA and thus freeing up more space.

The Nashville Predators just would not quit.Down 3-0 to the St. Louis Blues with a touch over 11 minutes left in the third period, the Predators' comeback was kick-started by Calle Jarnkrok and greatly aided by a pair of goals from Austin Watson.With overtime forced, Filip Forsberg finished things off by becoming the 13th player in NHL history to score a regular-season penalty shot goal in overtime.Blues indeed.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Lightning remain atop the Atlantic Division, but Boston's closed the gap.After Tampa Bay's loss to Buffalo and Boston's win over Calgary, the Bruins now trail the Lightning by only a point, but are actually ahead by winning percentage.(Image courtesy: NHL.com)The Lightning remain in first thanks to their 79 points through 57 games, while the Bruins are only one point back with two games in hand.Both teams have played 32 games since Dec. 1, and since then, the Bruins hold a distinct advantage:

Mark Scheifele is flying once again.The Winnipeg Jets center was a difference-maker in Tuesday's overtime win, recording two goals, one assist, and four shots in over 23 minutes of ice time against the Washington Capitals.Scheifele's impact was felt most with the game on the line, as he scored his second of the night with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation.

Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson is sad to say goodbye to a teammate and friend.Fellow defenseman Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, prompting immediate reactions from Karlsson and a few other Sens."It's an unfortunate part of the business," said Karlsson, per Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "He's a good friend of mine and a good friend of everybody on this team.""This is a tough day because they're real character guys and real pros," added head coach Guy Boucher, referring to Phaneuf and Nate Thompson, who was also sent to the Kings.Karlsson and a couple other teammates took to Twitter to express their feelings:

Dion Phaneuf is Rob Blake's kind of player.The Los Angeles Kings general manager acquired the veteran defenseman - as well as forward Nate Thompson - from the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, and later explained what he values in Phaneuf."Dion brings to our club a great deal of experience and leadership. He also plays with a physical edge which complements our lineup well," Blake said. "Nate has a good reputation of being a high-energy player on the ice. Both guys are also high character guys."Heading out of L.A. are forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore, who Blake thanked for their service."We also wish Marian and Nick well. Marian has enjoyed a tremendous career to date and has played an integral role with our team over the years including a Stanley Cup Championship. Nick is a hard worker who came up through our system and has developed into a solid NHL player."Gaborik was a member of L.A.'s 2014 Stanley Cup-winning team, while Phaneuf helped Ottawa come within one goal of advancing to the finals a year ago.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong and forward Paul Stastny haven't talked about a potential contract extension, Armstrong and Stastny's agent Matt Keator confirmed Tuesday to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford.Both sides have agreed to let the season play out before they discuss a deal, per Rutherford.The 32-year-old is in the final year of a four-year, $28-million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.Stastny is in his fourth season with the Blues and has 12 goals and 39 points in 58 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings announced the acquisition of defenseman Dion Phaneuf from the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday in exchange for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore.Also going L.A.'s way is journeyman pivot Nate Thompson.With Erik Karlsson taking his time rounding into form following offseason ankle surgery, Phaneuf has arguably been Ottawa's most reliable defenseman this year, registering three goals and 13 assists in just over 20 minutes of ice time per night.As for Gaborik, the 36-year-old veteran has struggled to stay healthy over the last few years, playing only one full season since the 2011-12 campaign. Across 29 games this season, Gaborik tallied seven goals and seven assists.Ottawa retains 25 percent of Phaneuf's whopping $7 million per season salary.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Brian Elliott ruled out five-to-six weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall is prepared to ride Michal Neuvirth rather than look to add a goalie prior to the trade deadline.That's the immediate plan, at least."Well, the deadline is two weeks away. I guess things can change between now and then, but we like our team, we like what we've done. In saying that, we've got to keep going here, we've got to keep pushing," Hextall said Tuesday."Neuvy is very capable, again, he's played some real good games for us this year, some other ones that haven't been that great, but if he can get on a roll here and get some consistency and do a good job for us, we will be fine."Heading into Tuesday's game against New Jersey, the Flyers sat third in the Metropolitan Division, with a five-point cushion in the race for a playoff spot.Hextall added Alex Lyon may be called upon to play, but with points so precious at this point in the season, he reiterated the hope is Neuvirth will step up in Elliott's absence.In 18 appearances this season, Neuvirth has posted a record of 7-7-2 with a .917 save percentage.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle appears to be one step closer to housing the next NHL expansion team.Oak View Group Seattle submitted its application for an NHL expansion franchise, Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan announced on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the NHL also confirmed it had received the application, according to Chris Daniels of K5 News.

John Tortorella is a man of few words. But, when he chooses to string a few together, it's usually worth paying attention.Such was the case Tuesday when Torts was asked his opinion on the upcoming men's Olympic hockey tournament."I'm not for going to the Olympics, as far as pro athletes. We have a bunch of money stuffed in our back pockets," Tortorella said, according to Steve Gorten of the Columbus Dispatch."You might go over and play for a few days here ... but I don't think it's the true meaning of Olympics. A lot of people disagree with me but I've always felt that way."Tortorella has previously been behind the bench internationally for Team USA, serving as an assistant for the 2008 World Championship and as head coach for the 2016 World Cup, but has never coached in the Olympics.However, he is obviously not a fan of having current NHL players take part, a fact that he reiterated Tuesday."It should be all amateur athletes," said Tortorella, per Gorten.The men's portion of the Olympic hockey tournament kicks off on Wednesday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars should have defenseman Marc Methot back in the lineup on Friday when the club takes on the St. Louis Blues."Unless he has a setback, he is good to go Friday," head coach Ken Hitchcock said, according to Mark Stepneski of Inside Edge.The 32-year-old has been out since Jan. 4 and has missed 41 games overall this season with a knee injury, but is on pace to return after missing the team's last 15 contests."I feel okay. It's been really long. I've never dealt with anything like this before, so it is just something I've had to be patient with," Methot said. "I'm here working my tail off every day, so I'm hoping that when I do come back, I'll be prepared and well-conditioned."Methot has been limited to just 16 games - having gone pointless - since being plucked from the Ottawa Senators by the Vegas Golden Knights during the expansion draft before he was flipped to the Stars.If practice lines stay true, Methot will slot in on the third pairing alongside Stephen Johns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Charlie Lindgren to a three-year contract extension, the club announced Tuesday.It's a one-way agreement and will kick in July 1, keeping him with Montreal through the 2020-21 season.

Philadelphia Flyers netminder Brian Elliott will miss the next five-to-six weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery Tuesday, the team announced.Elliott was injured during a shootout win Saturday over the Arizona Coyotes. He played the entire 65 minutes and faced the first two shootout skaters before taking Clayton Keller's stick to the mask in the third round and falling awkwardly.With Elliott now out for the majority of the playoff drive, the Flyers' postseason hopes lay in the hands of career backup Michal Neuvirth, who will temporarily form a tandem with Alex Lyon who was recalled from Philadelphia's AHL affiliate Tuesday.In Elliott's first season with the Flyers, he's posted a respectable 21-11-7 record go along with a 2.72 goals-against average and .908 save percentage through 41 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks forward Markus Granlund's ankle injury is severe enough to warrant surgery to repair it, head coach Travis Green said Tuesday.Related: Canucks' Markus Granlund out at least a month with ankle injuryGranlund was injured last week during Vancouver's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning when he landed awkwardly on his ankle after getting hit along the boards by Ryan Callahan.The Finnish centerman hasn't played since last Thursday against Tampa, and despite the severity of the injury and pending surgery, Green isn't ready to rule out Granlund for the remainder of the season.Granlund has registered eight goals and four assists in 53 games played.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the first Winter Olympics without NHL players since 1994, anything could happen.With the first men's game set for puck drop Wednesday morning, theScore takes a stab at predicting what will happen with each of the top seven countries competing.Olympic Athletes from Russia: Kovalchuk averages 1.5 goals per gameHaving scored at least 30 goals in 10 NHL seasons before his early exit to the KHL, Ilya Kovalchuk will establish himself early in the tournament as one of the best goal scorers at the Olympic games.Though he'll have a target on his back, Kovalchuk will use his all-world shot to snipe goals on a regular basis against lesser skilled units, averaging at least one and a half per contest by the end of the tournament.Sweden: 17-year-old Dahlin wins best D-manDahlin is hands-down the biggest name in the men's hockey tournament to have never appeared in the NHL, though that is set to change rather soon.The projected top pick of the 2018 NHL entry draft will be one of the most gifted players in the tournament at just 17 years old. After fellow Swede Erik Karlsson took home the best defenseman award at Sochi 2014, Dahlin will continue the tradition by shutting down opposing offenses and winning the 2018 title for himself.Canada: Scrivens steals crucial win with 50-save performanceThe 31-year-old former NHL journeyman will be one of the familiar-but-not-famous personalities to lead Canada's quest to defend gold.While the boys in red and white may take some time for everyone to get on the same page, they should get through their opening-round opponents (Switzerland, Czech Republic, and South Korea) to move on to the quarterfinals. However, Scrivens will need to stand on his head to keep them alive for the semifinals, stopping over 50 pucks en route to a big win.Finland: Team will allow no more than 6 goals throughout entire tournamentOne thing you can always count on with the Finnish team is strong goaltending. Though the Finns won't have the likes of Pekka Rinne or Tuuka Rask, their group of puck stoppers in PyeongChang will be a stout bunch helped out by solid team defense.Wiithout much offensive fire power, Finland will play a tight, low-scoring style in each contest, resulting a tournament-best defense as it allows less than six goals throughout the entire event.Czech Rep.: Francouz named best goaltenderPavel Francouz has become a star in the KHL over the last two seasons, posting GAA's of 1.43 and 1.83 as one of the league's best goaltenders.The Czech Republic team will be short on offense, needing to rely on the man between the pipes to compete in any contests. Francouz will use the Olympic stage to prove he's more than just a KHL star, leading the tournament in total saves by a wide margin and picking up the best goaltender award.United States: NCAA talent leads team scoringFormer NHLers Brian Gionta and James Wisniewski will likely serve as the veteran leaders in the locker room for team USA, but it will be those still hoping to earn their shot at the big leagues who take command on the ice.Too naive to be startled by the big stage, the NCAA talent on the American squad - Troy Terry (University of Denver), Ryan Donato (Harvard), Jordan Greenway (Boston University), and Will Borgen (St. Cloud State University) - will steal the spotlight from their more-experienced teammates by lighting up the opposition.Switzerland: Every team goal scored by Haas, Suter, or CorviWith the exception of a few former NHL journeymen, the Swiss team isn't anywhere close to a star-studded group, but it does have a trio of forwards getting hot at the right time in the Swiss-A league.Gaetan Haas, Pius Suter, and Enzo Corvi have competed against one another the past three seasons as some of the premier local talents in the Swiss-A league. While the rest of the team scrambles to keep the opposition from taking advantage of their goaltending issues, these three snipers will be the only Swiss players to light the lamp in PyeongChang.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calgary Flames goaltender Mike Smith is considered day to day with a lower-body injury following an MRI that revealed positive news, head coach Glen Gulutzan said Tuesday.Smith was helped off the ice near the end of Sunday's game against the New York Islanders with what appeared to be a groin injury.Backup netminder David Rittich will play Tuesday against the Boston Bruins in a game he was originally slated to start. Smith also won't play Thursday against the Nashville Predators, but from there he will be considered day to day, Gulutzan told reporters.Smith has been an invaluable member of the Flames this season. He ranks second in the league with 47 games started and has a .921 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and general managers of contending clubs are running low on time to make a move to get over the top.However, there are plenty of talented rental players available, and while it might seem foolish to give up a valuable haul in exchange for just a few months of ice time, it's all worth it if you win the Stanley Cup.With that in mind, the following three teams should make these suggested trades to improve their championship odds ahead of the postseason:Evander Kane to St. LouisBlues receiveSabres receiveLW Evander Kane2019 1st-round pick2018 2nd-round pickC Jordan KyrouThe Blues are one of the more well-rounded teams in the NHL. Carter Hutton has given them outstanding goaltending while Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko anchor a stellar back end, but despite their big names up front, they could still use another legitimate scoring threat to aid a middling offense.Enter Evander Kane, who has 18 goals and 205 shots this year while playing for the lowly Buffalo Sabres. Not only would he add a much-needed scoring threat to St. Louis' top-six forward group, but he'd also provide physicality and grit in the postseason, as evidenced by his 109 hits.The Blues already gave up their 2018 first-round pick in the Brayden Schenn deal, so they'd have to move their 2019 first-rounder. And while Jordan Kyrou is a promising prospect, their farm system is flooded with other young, skilled forwards.Meanwhile, the Sabres would have to retain some of Kane's salary to make the trade work. But to obtain a prospect like Kyrou - plus two other draft picks - it would be well worth it.Rick Nash to BostonBruins receiveRangers receiveLW Rick Nash2018 1st-round pickD Jakub ZborilIt's no secret that the Bruins have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the last few months, but what's perhaps most impressive is they've done so without a formidable second line.Danton Heinen, Ryan Spooner, and Jake DeBrusk are all solid players, but adding a proven goal-scorer like Rick Nash to play on the top six alongside David Krejci and one of the aforementioned players would compliment the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak top line nicely.A wealthy organization like the New York Rangers would likely have no problem eating some of Nash's contract to make it work, especially since they're very committed to rebuilding.Mike Green to TorontoMaple Leafs receiveRed Wings receiveD Mike Green2018 1st-round pickRW Josh LeivoD Andreas BorgmanThe Maple Leafs are bound to lose James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak, and Leo Komarov this offseason. And while they have plenty of internal candidates as possible replacements for the future, there's no reason not to go for it this year while Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner are all still making pennies.The emergence of Travis Dermott has given the Leafs just one hole to fill on the back end, and a veteran like Mike Green would give them a balanced defense unit from one to six. Moreover, Green would help a power play that surprisingly ranks in the middle of the pack despite all the firepower up front.Going the other way, Josh Leivo needs to find a team that can give him a chance, and Borgman will be hard-pressed to ever crack Toronto's top four. With all their organizational depth, the Leafs can also afford to lose a first-round pick.In the process, Toronto might have to bury Matt Martin's contract in the minors, but the team's had no problem doing so in previous similar situations.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Considering her phenomenal skills on the ice, it's safe to presume Mirai Nagasu was grossly underpaid during her lone season as an employee of the Colorado Avalanche.Prior to becoming the first U.S. woman to land a triple axel at the Winter Olympics, Nagasu made a modest living as an ice girl for the NHL team during the 2015-16 season.

In a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 3 - their league-best 36th victory of the season - the Tampa Bay Lightning got goals from Victor Hedman, Yanni Gourde, Chris Kunitz, and Cory Conacher.Hedman's pedigree is well-established; the 6-foot-6 defenseman was the second overall pick in 2009 and has developed into one of the NHL's top blue-liners. But for the other three goal-scorers, the path to the NHL was significantly more daunting; all three were undrafted free agents, passed over for a variety of reasons before playing their way onto the Lightning's radar and, eventually, the roster.Their role in Tampa's rise to the top of the league standings is nothing short of astounding. Entering Tuesday, the Lightning led the NHL with a 38-15-3 record while ranking first in goals per game (3.6), sixth in goals against (2.6), and third in power-play success rate (23.8 percent) - and they've done it with a lineup built largely out of spare parts.Nearly a quarter of the players who've appeared in at least 20 games for the Lightning this season are undrafted free agents. Three others are seventh-round picks, including two they selected themselves. Nikita Kucherov, the league's leading scorer, was taken 58th overall in 2011. Brayden Point, chosen in the third round in 2014, played in this year's All-Star Game - in front of the home fans at Amalie Arena - in just his second NHL season.Tampa has become the NHL's Island of Misfit Toys, getting major production out of players previously considered too small, too slow, or just not good enough for the league. And, in an era in which virtually every talented player is scouted multiple times per season, no team tops the Lightning when it comes to identifying the few hidden gems that do exist."The Lightning are an incredible story," Rogers Sportsnet and NHL Network hockey insider Chris Johnston told theScore. "It is a story of excellence at every level. The Lightning have one of the best and most committed owners in the league. They have a fantastic front office, which has made shrewd trades and navigated some tricky contract situations. And they have an innovative coaching staff and lots of great players. They've come a long way as an organization in half a decade."Much of the credit belongs to general manager and master architect Steve Yzerman, who inherited a roster in May 2010 that had gone three straight years without a playoff berth. And, while a team that features Hedman and 2008 No. 1 overall pick Steven Stamkos is never truly hopeless, it was clear from the outset an injection of young talent was an absolute must.Many were curious to see what Yzerman had learned about roster construction from his Hall of Fame career in Detroit, which served as the model NHL franchise for most of the 1990s and 2000s. And it didn't take him long to show what he picked up from his time in Hockeytown."What Steve Yzerman appears to have gleaned from his time with the Red Wings is the value of making your plan and sticking with it," Johnston said. "He doesn't waver when the winds start blowing in different directions."Despite sharpening his skills in a two-year stint with the Red Wings' front office prior to joining the Lightning, Yzerman's first crack at the draft didn't go so well. Only two out of eight players Tampa selected in 2010 (Brett Connolly and Radko Gudas) appeared in an NHL game, and both were shipped out of town in separate deals on March 2, 2015.But Yzerman hit the mother lode the following year, snagging Vladislav Namestnikov in the first round, Kucherov in the second, and Ondrej Palat with the 208th pick. The trio has combined for 672 career NHL points; Kucherov and Palat both rank in the top 10 in scoring in their draft class, while Namestnikov is enjoying a career year with 40 points in 56 games."When NHL teams basically stopped drafting Russian players out of fear they'd never leave the KHL, Yzerman didn't follow suit," Johnston said. "He selected Andrei Vasilevskiy, Kucherov, Namestnikov, and Nikita Nesterov over two drafts. Each of them became part of the Lightning team that went to the 2015 Stanley Cup final. In Detroit, of course, Yzerman played alongside some great Russian players, and he believed that the lure of the NHL would still be strong enough for the best players to come to North America."He trusted his instincts. (They) paid off."Kucherov is the diamond of Yzerman's draft trove, entering Tuesday with 71 points in 56 games on the heels of an impressive 40-goal, 85-point showing last season. The 24-year-old Quebec Major Junior Hockey League alum is on pace to become just the third player not drafted in the first round to win a scoring title since the 2004-05 lockout, joining Lightning legend Martin St. Louis (2012-13) and Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (2014-15).That 2011 draft, which also yielded puck-moving defenseman Nesterov (148th overall) and forward prospect Matthew Peca (201st), established Yzerman and his scouting team as one of the savviest units in the NHL - and the mid-to-late-round hits kept on coming:

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) Mark Arcobello had a choice between shuttling to and from the minor leagues in North America and taking his talents to Europe.Arcobello, who went to Europe a year for some stability before the NHL decided not to participate in the Olympics, said he is glad he took the path less traveled because it helped him make the U.S. national team.''This opportunity kind of solidifies that I made the right decision,'' said Arcobello, who spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs organizations. ''It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and if I'd still be going up and down between the minors and NHL right now, I'd be probably regretting it and wishing that I had left.''Arcobello is one of the poster boys for this unpredictable, wide-open Olympic men's hockey tournament that begins Wednesday with the U.S. against Slovenia and Russia playing Slovakia. Even though current NHL players aren't taking part, 94 of the 300 Olympians have played at least one NHL game and every country has at least one former player.''People say the NHL's not here, but it's all NHL talent,'' U.S. defenseman James Wisniewski said. ''Maybe it's not the All-Star talent that they're looking at like a Patrick Kane or (Jonathan) Toews or (Ryan) Getzlaf - those kind of guys. But it's still NHL talent. It's just the guys that you really never heard of because they decided to take the European route.''A lot of them took the European route. Players at the Olympics come from 19 different professional leagues based in 13 countries plus the NCAA and Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps.Canada has 23 former NHL players and the U.S. 16, down to Norway and South Korea with two and Slovenia one. Russia might have the two best former NHL stars in Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk, and Finland the best goaltender now who played in the NHL in Mikko Koskinen.It's an NHL tournament. Just of the past and future.''Everybody has a lot of talent here,'' said Kovalchuk, who leads the favored Russians after playing for the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils. ''We have a great team. There are five, six teams I think that are in the same level who's got a lot of young kids who will be future NHLers, too.''Soon-to-be NHL talent is everywhere. Sweden defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is expected to be the No. 1 pick in June, and U.S. college players Jordan Greenway and Ryan Donato, Finland defenseman Miro Heiskanen and forward Eeli Tolvanen, and Russia forward Kirill Kaprizov should be there in no time.Combine that young skill with over 17,000 games of NHL experience, and players expect the quality of hockey to be better than expected.''I think it's going to shock some people,'' said U.S. defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti, who played for the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. ''Obviously with the NHL current players not coming, it's a little bit of a different scenario, but there's a lot of great players here that are excited to show what they can bring to the team and with the opportunity to play on the big stage and actually compete for a medal.''Germany coach Marco Sturm, who played 938 regular-season and 68 playoff games in the NHL, said everyone will treat it the same because ''there is still gold, silver and bronze.''Historically, the value of those medals will certainly be reduced compared to those given out in the five previous Olympics with NHL players. It's not what hockey people like to call a ''best-on-best'' tournament like the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 Olympics and the 1996, 2004 and 2016 World Cup of Hockey, though it's far more of a mystery.''More unpredictable because not a lot of teams know about each other,'' U.S. coach Tony Granato said.For all the scouting and video teams can use to learn about each other, one major question is who are the most dangerous players.Kovalchuk leading the Kontinental Hockey League in scoring. Koskinen is among the KHL's best goalies and other season trends give an indication, though the motivation of this unique chance and the quirkiness of a short tournament provide the opportunity for the tournament to be a must-watch drama.''I do not think it will be easier (without NHL stars),'' said Slovenia's Jan Mursak, who played 46 games for the Detroit Red Wings. ''It is sometimes even harder to play against the players from Europe who, for a lot of them, this is their first Olympics. I am sure they will be pumped up as much as we are.''Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes found their offense Monday night.Facing the Blackhawks, the last-place Coyotes rallied for a season-high performance in a 6-1 romp over Chicago.Arizona led 2-0 entering the second frame before Alex DeBrincat replied for the Blackhawks. However, Coyotes blue-liner Alex Goligoski quickly regained Arizona's two-goal margin.Blackhawks netminder Anton Forsberg was chased after the third goal. He finished the night with just 10 saves and was replaced by Jeff Glass.Wingers Max Domi and Tobias Rieder also chipped in on the Coyotes' offense, with both players snapping goal droughts that had extended into the double-digits prior to Monday's contest.Arizona scored five goals in a game three times this season prior to Monday's win over the Blackhawks.Undefeated in regulation in their past three games, the Coyotes will look to build on that when they face the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs do indeed meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in the postseason, they'll take solace in knowing they can hang with the best team in the league.The Maple Leafs beat the Lightning 4-3 on Monday night in a contest forward Nazem Kadri deemed a "measuring-stick game" earlier in the day, according to TSN's Mark Masters.After getting blanked by the Lightning last month, the Maple Leafs entered Monday having won three straight games and seven of their last eight. And the timing couldn't have been better for the club - who has been playing some of its best hockey of the season - to test its mettle against the No. 1-ranked team in the standings."Of course, you want to play your best against the best teams," goalie Frederik Andersen said postgame. "These are fun games to be a part of and obviously it's great coming out with two points."As for Auston Matthews - who finished the night with three assists - Monday felt like just another game since he expects his club to compete with any opponent."It's just another win," said Matthews. "We expect to win every night, doesn't matter who you play. Obviously, when you play the best team in the league you've got to bring your A-game, so I thought we played well tonight."With the win on Monday the Maple Leafs now sit six points back of the Lightning - who have two games in-hand on Toronto. Meanwhile, the season series sits tied at one game apiece with two more head-to-head battles before the season is out.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dustin Brown will spend the Los Angeles Kings' next game on the sidelines, but he doesn't agree with it.Brown was handed a one-game suspension Sunday after kneeing Tampa Bay Lightning blue-liner Mikhail Sergachev, a ban that will keep him out of an upcoming game against the Carolina Hurricanes.While it's only a short punishment, it's one Brown feels is undeserved."No one knows what's fair anymore," Brown told Josh Cooper of LA Kings Insider. "I mean, I saw it differently than they did. They thought I stuck my knee out. I felt like I was going through and he's sidestepping me. So I hit him with my knee, yeah but it was the result of him making a move laterally when I'm trying to deliver a hit."Related - Poll: Was Brown's 1-game suspension enough of a punishment?The incident is Brown's second run-in with the Department of Player Safety this season. Last month, he was fined $10,000 for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz."When I think of a knee, I think of a guy sticking his knee out to clip a guy," Brown added. "My play, I thought, was lower-leg contact because he's trying to get out of the way and I'm coming through on my original path but the league decided I stuck my leg out I guess. I don't know exactly what their official statement was."Brown is eligible to return to the lineup Feb. 15 when the Kings face off against the Penguins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rick Nash is willing to leave the Big Apple for the Big Smoke.With the New York Rangers prepared to enter a rebuild, the team approached the veteran forward - who carries a modified no-trade clause - to provide a list of clubs to which he'd be willing to accept a trade.Earlier reports indicated Canadian-bound playoff teams are among the 12 places Nash is willing to go, while TSN's Frank Seravalli has since confirmed the Toronto Maple Leafs are among his approved teams."I included the teams that I think have the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup and are also places I think would be good for my family," Nash told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "And, yes, that does include teams in Canada. I'm not excluding that as a possibility."A move to the Maple Leafs would be a homecoming of sorts for Nash, who hails from nearby Brampton, Ontario.The 33-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent who could provide playoff-bound teams, including the Maple Leafs, with some added size and scoring touch in a chase for the Stanley Cup.Nash has tallied 17 goals and 10 assists through 56 games this season.Seravalli adds the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators are among the frontrunners to acquire Nash.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stability at the top is often necessary for a successful rebuild.That appears to be the course the New York Rangers will follow, as Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported the organization will keep its two most senior hockey decision-makers - president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton - in the fold through next season.Sather has been with the Rangers since 2000 and later signed an extension to remain with the club through the 2018-19 campaign. The five-time Stanley Cup champion previously served as GM of the Rangers up until 2015, when Gorton assumed the role.Gorton joined the Rangers in 2007, and was later promoted to director of player personnel and then to assistant GM before taking over the top job. Before that, he spent 14 seasons in the hockey operations department of the Boston Bruins.The Rangers currently sit two points outside of a playoff spot, and the team's place in the standings has seen Sather and Gorton decide that a retooling is needed to build a winner.That could mean the team loses some "familiar faces" ahead of the Feb. 26 trade deadline, which the two executives co-wrote in a letter to the Rangers' fan base on Thursday.Veterans Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, and Ryan McDonagh are among the players who could be suiting up elsewhere in the coming weeks.Despite not winning the Stanley Cup since 1994, the Rangers have qualified for the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calgary Flames goaltender Mike Smith won't be available Tuesday against the Boston Bruins after suffering an apparent groin injury Sunday against the New York Islanders, head coach Glen Gulutzan said Monday, according to Postmedia's Kristen Anderson.Backup netminder David Rittich was originally scheduled to start against the Bruins anyway.Smith has been an absolute rock for the Flames this season, owning a .921 save percentage and 2.53 goals-against average in a league-leading 47 starts. If he's out for an extended period of time, it would be a massive blow to the team's playoff hopes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL named its three stars of the week Monday, with Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux earning top honors:(Courtesy: NHL)Giroux had three goals and three assists in four games last week, all wins, including one in Las Vegas. The 30-year-old's bounce-back season continues, as he has 64 points in 56 games, surpassing last season's total of 58 in 82 games.Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau had two goals and five assists in four games week, three of which were victories. His 66 points rank second in the NHL, three off the pace set by Nikita Kucherov.Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk helped Minnesota earn five of six possible points. He stopped 115 of the 121 shots he faced, good for a .950 save percentage, and shut out the Blackhawks with an impressive 44-save performance.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello squashed rumors that forward Josh Leivo has asked to be traded.Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported during Hockey Night in Canada's "Headlines" segment on Feb. 3 that Leivo had requested a trade - something Lamoriello denied on Monday."Josh has never made a (trade) request to my knowledge," he told Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.Related: Leivo wants to stick with Leafs but needs more playing timeSince proving his worth in the AHL, Leivo has spent most of his time with the Leafs as a cheerleader. The 24-year-old has played in just 25 games over the past two seasons, and in only 53 during his five-year NHL career. Despite the irregular playing time, he has 10 goals and 11 assists while averaging less than 11 minutes of ice time.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled forward Nikita Soshnikov on Monday after his five-game conditioning stint in the AHL came to an end, general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel.Despite the call-up, Soshnikov will remain on injured reserve while he practices with the Leafs, thus delaying an inevitable key decision since the team is already at the maximum roster size.Lamoriello is no stranger to finding loopholes in the system - he has a history of making contracts disappear - but he isn't breaking any rules in this scenario."There's no illegality to this," he said, per Siegel. "We're not doing anything that isn't the normal process."According to Cap Friendly, Collective Bargaining Agreement 13.9 states that a club is able to recall a player following a conditioning stint and keep him on IR if the team and its doctors deem he isn't yet fit to play.Once Soshnikov is cleared to play - whenever that may be - the Leafs will be forced to make a roster move.The 24-year-old has only skated in three games with the Leafs this year, and has failed to register a point. In 19 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, he has seven goals and 10 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers re-signed forward Colton Sceviour to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.The deal has an average annual value of $1.2 million, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie."Colton is a hard-working, versatile player who has become a key part of our success on the penalty kill," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. "He has earned this contract extension through his dedicated work ethic, compete level, and character."A reliable two-way player, Colton is an important part of our team both on the ice and in our locker room, for now and for the future."Sceviour has seven goals and seven assists this season and is tied for third on the Panthers with three shorthanded points.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators have reportedly let it be known that Derick Brassard is available, but they want a sizable return. The asking price is believed to be a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a third piece, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.Brassard will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-19 campaign and has a cap hit of $5 million. He has 14 goals and 16 assists in 52 games this season.Earlier this season, the 30-year-old center said he'd be open to a trade, but about a week later, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators wouldn't trade Brassard. Now, it appears they've become more open to the idea.Selling at the deadline is the obvious philosophy for most bottom-feeding teams, but the Senators have more incentive to win than their fellow basement dwellers.That's because Ottawa dealt its 2018 first-round pick to Colorado in the Matt Duchene trade. However, the selection is top-10 protected, meaning if the Senators wind up choosing in the top 10 this year, they would have the option to keep the pick. In that case, Colorado would get their 2019 first-round pick no matter what.While Ottawa is currently sitting 29th in the standings, another poor finish next year would result in a gift-wrapped lottery pick going to the Avalanche. For that reason, trading Brassard may not necessarily be a no-brainer since he can still help the team next season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's NHL Power Rankings are published every other Monday. Our 10th installment is put together by editors Josh Wegman, Flip Livingstone, and Cory Wilkins.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (38-14-3) Previously: 1stThe Lightning have been the best team in the league from the get-go, and they show no signs of slowing down. There's a chance they could finish the season with the Vezina, Norris, Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard trophy winners on their roster. That's absurd. - Wegman2. Nashville Predators (33-12-9) ▲Previously: 5thThough the Predators remain behind the Golden Knights in the standings, the return of Filip Forsberg - perhaps one of the league's most underrated players - makes them the NHL's second-best team. Moreover, they seem to be picking up steam, compiling a record of 10-1-3 in their last 14 games. - Wegman3. Vegas Golden Knights (36-15-4) ▼Previously: 2ndIt's crazy that seven wins in their last 13 games is considered a rough patch for the Golden Knights, but that's the reality. If it weren't for the surging Predators, they'd likely remain in the No. 2 spot. - Wegman4. Boston Bruins (34-12-8) ▼Previously: 3rdThe Bruins have been on a remarkable run, losing just five times in regulation since mid-November. In fact, their loss to Buffalo Saturday was Tuukka Rask's first regulation defeat since Nov. 26. They too have become a victim of the red-hot Preds. - Wegman5. Winnipeg Jets (32-15-9) ▼Previously: 4thWinnipeg managed to go 11-2-3 with Mark Scheifele sidelined. Blake Wheeler filled in admirably down the middle during that stretch, giving head coach Paul Maurice endless lineup combinations to use with his top center back in the fold. - Wegman6. Toronto Maple Leafs (33-19-5) ▲Previously: 8thThe Maple Leafs are 7-1-0 since promoting Mitch Marner to the second line alongside Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau. Marner has as many goals (six) in that span as he did in his previous 49 games, and Kadri has also elevated his play, picking up 10 points during that stretch. A potent second line has made the Leafs a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches. - Wegman7. St. Louis Blues (34-21-3) ▼Previously: 6thCan Carter Hutton maintain his otherworldly play in net? Will Doug Armstrong be able to add a scoring winger to aid a middling offense? Will Joel Edmundson's injury loom larger than one might think? There are questions that need to be answered with the Blues, but regardless, they're still one of the more well-rounded teams in the NHL. - Wegman8. Dallas Stars (33-20-4) ▲Previously: 10thThe Stars are the only team in the league to have four players with at least 50 points: John Klingberg, Alexander Radulov, Tyler Seguin, and Jamie Benn. The latter three rival the Bruins' trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak for the title of the league's best line. The Stars will go as far as their top unit takes them, and right now, they're on fire. - Wegman9. Washington Capitals (32-16-6) ▼Previously: 7thWashington isn't going to win a third straight Presidents' Trophy, but it still remains the class of the Metro at this point, and that says a lot given how competitive the division is this year. - Wegman10. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-22-4) ▲Previously: 12thThe Penguins appear to have turned a corner, and that's incredibly scary for the other 30 teams in the league. They're 6-1-1 in their last eight games, and Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel are rolling. - Wegman11. Minnesota Wild (30-19-6) ▲Previously: 13thThere is no denying that the Wild are a group knocking on the postseason door, but that is likely the ceiling. Minny has the unfortunate trait of being a bubble team that is rather average in terms of top-end talent. Deadline improvements will be needed to book a ticket for playoff puck. - Livingstone12. Anaheim Ducks (27-19-11) ▲Previously: 17thThe Ducks have struggled to stay healthy this season. But, with Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler back in the lineup and the rest of the roster at full health, Anaheim is a completely different squad. Don't sleep on the Ducks, as they are a deep group with an outside shot at making some noise come April. - Livingstone13. Los Angeles Kings (30-20-5) ▲Previously: 18thL.A. has gone 4-2 since the All-Star break, but those two losses came against the Lightning and Predators, arguably the two best teams in the league. With that and Jeff Carter's pending return in mind, the Kings are a side that no team will want to deal with in the first round. - Livingstone14. Calgary Flames (29-19-8) ▼Previously: 9thSix losses in their last 10 see the Flames sputtering at the most crucial point of the season. Their top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Micheal Ferlund, and Sean Monahan has been lights out, but after that, Calgary's offense leaves something to be desired. Expect GM Brad Treliving to be a very busy man over the next two weeks in search of some added scoring. - Livingstone15. San Jose Sharks (30-18-8) ▼Previously: 11thThe Sharks have only missed the postseason twice since 1997. Let that sink in for a second. So, it should come as no surprise that San Jose finds itself firmly in the mix for one of the three Pacific Division playoff spots. Joe Thornton and Joel Ward are out for the foreseeable future, so don't be shocked if the Sharks make a move for some depth up front. - Livingstone16. Philadelphia Flyers (28-19-9) ▼Previously: 15thSpecial teams continue to be the Flyers' biggest strength and weakness, as Philly sits sixth in power-play efficiency and third-last in penalty killing. A sensational top-six forward group that includes three players (Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Jakub Voracek) in the top 20 in points will need added reinforcements on the blue line if the Flyers want to compete for a Cup. - Livingstone17. Colorado Avalanche (30-21-4) ▼Previously: 14thConsidering last year's dumpster fire of a season, the rest of this campaign for the upstart Avalanche has to be considered gravy, as Colorado has taken a big step forward. The Avalanche are within striking distance in the West, but with burgeoning superstar Nathan MacKinnon out for the next couple of weeks, Colorado will be in tough to maintain its position. - Livingstone18. Columbus Blue Jackets (28-23-4) ▼Previously: 16thA preseason pick by many to be in contention for the Cup, Columbus has struggled mightily to score all year, netting an embarrassing 141. Only the lowly Coyotes and Sabres have fewer goals, and that certainly is not enough to get the job done in the high-flying Metro Division. - Livingstone19. New York Islanders (27-24-6)Previously: 19thThe Islanders play an exciting brand of offensive-minded hockey, which has led them to scoring an impressive 190 goals - only the Lightning have more (196). Unfortunately, New York happens to lead the league in goals allowed and owns potentially the least reliable goaltending duo in the NHL with Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss. - Livingstone20. New Jersey Devils (27-20-8)Previously: 20thNew Jersey is picking a really bad time to play some of its worst hockey of the season. Losses in seven out of their last 10 contests have the Devils trending in the wrong direction and Cory Schneider's groin injury adds even more reason for concern. - Livingstone21. Carolina Hurricanes (26-21-9) ▲Previously: 23rdThe postseason is a priority for the Canes under new owner Tom Dundon, whose gone as far as stuffing the arena to create a playoff-like atmosphere. The Hurricanes are in the thick of the race in the East and could make their first appearance to the dance since 2009. - Wilkins22. New York Rangers (27-24-5) ▼Previously: 21stThe firesale is underway in Manhattan, with management acknowledging that some short-term pain is in order to restock for the future. That means fans could see some familiar faces shipped out ahead of the deadline, from veteran winger Rick Nash to captain Ryan McDonagh. - Wilkins23. Chicago Blackhawks (24-23-8) ▼Previously: 22ndYears of cap challenges always meant the Blackhawks could miss the playoffs this season, but who saw Chicago sitting last in the Central Division and double-digit points back of the pack? That's led to Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman announcing his team is unlikely to be a buyer this deadline. - Wilkins24. Florida Panthers (23-23-6) ▲Previously: 27thNot yet out of the mix, the Panthers can thank relief goaltender Harri Sateri for keeping alive the team's slim playoff hopes. With regulars Roberto Luongo and James Reimer on the sidelines, Sateri has shined, including a recent run that saw him post four straight victories. - Wilkins25. Edmonton Oilers (23-27-4) ▲Previously: 28thThis wasn't the sort of season Oilers fans and GM Peter Chiarelli had in mind. Edmonton is a seller heading toward the deadline, and the biggest decision could be what to do with Connor McDavid's linemate, Patrick Maroon, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Maroon has netted 40 goals over the past two seasons and could command a significant raise to stick in Edmonton. - Wilkins26. Detroit Red Wings (22-23-9) ▼Previously: 24thDefensive depth serves well in the playoffs, and the Red Wings have a prime trade chip ahead of the deadline in veteran rearguard Mike Green. Recouping young assets for the experienced defender will do a lot to further the Red Wings' rebuild, as would moving either goaltender Jimmy Howard or Petr Mrazek to a club needing to shore up its crease. - Wilkins27. Montreal Canadiens (22-26-7) ▼Previously: 25thThe wandering Canadiens would be well-served to follow suit of the Rangers and restock their prospect cupboard in the coming weeks. While long-term commitments to Carey Price and Shea Weber mean the Canadiens are still built to win now, that shouldn't stop GM Marc Bergevin from moving the likes of Tomas Plekanec, and possibly captain Max Pacioretty, for younger assets. - Wilkins28. Ottawa Senators (19-26-9) ▲Previously: 29thLike many clubs at the bottom, the Senators recognize the playoffs aren't happening this year, and it's in the team's best interest to sell some veteran players in return for young talent. Recently extended GM Pierre Dorion won't move star players Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone, but anyone else could potentially be available. - Wilkins29. Vancouver Canucks (22-28-6) ▼Previously: 26thRookie sensation Brock Boeser, who's sure to be a Calder candidate at season's end, is a sign of what's to come in Vancouver. While this season is lost, more reinforcements are on the way with Swedish standout Elias Pettersson and up-and-coming Finnish blue-liner Olli Juolevi. - Wilkins30. Buffalo Sabres (16-30-10)Previously: 30thTimes are already tough in Buffalo, and the news that superstar Jack Eichel will be out of the lineup long term doesn't help matters. Should the Sabres move out other key pieces such as netminder Robin Lehner or scoring winger Evander Kane prior to Feb. 26, it'll be even more of a challenge for Buffalo to find the win column in the season's final stretch. - Wilkins31. Arizona Coyotes (13-32-10)Previously: 31stWith no playoffs coming to the desert for the sixth straight year, the focus turns to who is sticking around for the future. Goaltender Antti Raanta is a pending unrestricted free agent, while star blue-liner Oliver Ekman-Larsson can put his name on a long-term extension as soon as July 1. - Wilkins(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What Vegas Flu?The Las Vegas Strip treated the Philadelphia Flyers just fine on Sunday night, as Philly handed the Golden Knights only their fourth regulation loss of the season at T-Mobile Arena.In fact, this was the first time all year that Vegas had lost consecutive games at home in regulation.The Flyers got yet another stellar performance from budding star Sean Couturier, who scored and added two assists to set career highs in both categories (28 goals, 29 assists).With the defeat, the Golden Knights overall record dips to 36-15-4, but they still hold a firm grip on first place in the Pacific Division, currently sitting with an eight-point lead over the San Jose Sharks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

They may have come away with a big two points against the New York Islanders on Sunday night, but the Calgary Flames' loss between the pipes was much, much bigger.Flames No. 1 goaltender - and potential MVP - Mike Smith went down awkwardly with 1.1 seconds left in the third period after trying to make a save. Smith rolled onto his back, clearly in pain, and left the game.Despite Calgary not providing any update on his status postgame, Twitter exploded with an outpouring of concern and support for the Flames' starting netminder.Given Smith's history of groin injuries and his importance to the team's success, hockey fans in Calgary are more than a little bit nervous about Smith's well-being:

The high-flying Boston Bruins could bulk up before the playoffs, and have their sights set on Edmonton Oilers winger Patrick Maroon, sources told Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston.A pending unrestricted free agent, Maroon carries an affordable $1.5-million cap hit, and could bring some added size and a scoring touch to the Bruins.Over the past two seasons in Edmonton, Maroon has combined for 40 goals playing alongside Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. He recorded a career-high 42 points with the Oilers last season.Where Maroon will close out this year's campaign will be known soon enough, as the trade deadline is set for Feb. 26.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An apparent groin injury forced Calgary Flames netminder Mike Smith to leave Sunday's contest against the New York Islanders with just 1.1 seconds remaining in the game.Backup goaltender David Rittich came in for the closing moments, holding on for a 3-2 win.While neither the nature of Smith's injury nor a timeline has been announced, a prolonged absence could be devastating to the Flames, with the team in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.Smith has arguably been the Flames' MVP this season. He held a 22-16-6 record alongside a .921 save percentage entering Sunday's game.The Flames acquired Smith from the Arizona Coyotes last offseason.Smith struggled with groin ailments through six campaigns with the Coyotes, as he missed 12 games last season and another 40 contests the previous year.The 35-year-old was also sidelined for the final 10 games of the 2013-14 campaign. Arizona finished that season with 89 points, missing the playoffs by just two points.In all, Smith has had a long history of groin injuries since 2012:DateTeamGames MissedNovember 2016Coyotes12March 2016Coyotes40November 2015Coyotes1April 2014Coyotes10April 2013Coyotes2February 2013Coyotes4January 2012Coyotes6Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After somehow escaping suspension for his vicious cross-check on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz last month, Los Angeles Kings veteran Dustin Brown is seemingly getting off light once again.Related: Kings' Brown suspended 1 game for kneeing Lightning's SergachevBrown drilled Tampa Bay Lightning rearguard Mikhail Sergachev with a knee-on-knee hit Saturday night and was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing. Despite extending his knee and not making any attempt to get out of Sergachev's way, Brown was only handed a one-game suspension by the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Sunday.Related: Parros defends recent disciplinary decisions on Cogliano, BrownGeorge Parros, the head of the department, has been under fire recently for his inconsistent doling out of suspensions, which continues with Brown's one-game punishment.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils should work on their power play.Despite getting two opportunities on the man advantage in the opening frame against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, the Devils saw two goals enter their own net.The first came with about six minutes remaining in the first period. Bruins blue-liner Torey Krug was credited with the tally after Devils defenseman Mirco Mueller knocked the puck past his own netminder:

Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown has been suspended one game for kneeing Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.The incident occurred in Saturday's contest between the Lightning and Kings. Sergachev left the game with an injury, but did return later.It's Brown's second run-in with league discipline this season. In January, Brown was fined $10,000 - the maximum allowable under the CBA - after cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins blue-liner Justin Schultz.As Brown has not been suspended in the past 18 months, he is not considered a repeat offender. The one-game ban will see him forfeit more than $31,000 in salary, according to CapFriendly.Brown is eligible to return Feb. 15 when the Kings take on the Penguins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.