One glaring weakness has plagued the Boston Bruins through two years of missing the playoffs, and ultimately led to the eventual firing of longtime, highly successful head coach Claude Julien: defense, defense, defense.The lack thereof, more specifically, has been a problem.How they got herePrior to and immediately after the 2014-15 season, the Bruins traded Johnny Boychuk and Dougie Hamilton to the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames, respectively. Neither was sufficiently replaced in the top-two pairings until this season, and it happened almost by accident.Twenty-year-old Brandon Carlo is averaging 21:19 on the Bruins' blue line, the third-highest average ice time on the team and third among all rookie defensemen. He's also chipped in four goals and nine assists and is a positive possession player at even strength.That Boston is relying on him so heavily at this stage of his career speaks volumes about its deficiencies at the position.Somehow, Carlo's name has popped up in trade reports, mostly linking him to his home state of Colorado in a deal involving Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.Boston would be foolish to make such deal, and here's why.System stocked(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Over the past two drafts, the Bruins have managed to stock up on promising defensive prospects, with Carlo representing just one piece of a much-needed rebuild at the position.

Pierre Dorion has his owner's blessing when it comes to dealing before the trade deadline.The Ottawa Senators general manager told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch on Wednesday that Eugene Melnyk has given him the go-ahead to make a move "to get the team to the playoffs."The Senators sit second in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for first with a pair of games in hand, but they're suddenly smarting up front with a long-term injury to Bobby Ryan, while top-ranked and third-ranked goal-scorers Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman recently suffered less severe but still concerning ailments.Dorion hopes the latter pair will be able to play Sunday in Sunrise against the Florida Panthers, but he also acknowledged that if he does anything before next Wednesday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, it'll be at the forward position.Speaking of forwards, the GM also said he's received calls from other teams about Curtis Lazar, but added that his first choice is to hold on to the 22-year-old right-winger, who's a pending restricted free agent.While he does have the green light to make a trade, Dorion cautioned that prices are high and said he owes it to the organization to be patient.The Senators have five pending UFAs, including backup goaltender Mike Condon and depth forward Tom Pyatt, and the GM said contract talks with those two players will pick back up after the deadline.As for what the roster will look like when the dust clears next Wednesday afternoon, Dorion expressed his desire to make a move, but understands it might not happen."There is a good chance we go into (the stretch run) after March 1 with the same team we have now, (but) we would like to do something," he said, according to TSN's Brent Wallace.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

RW Mikko Rantanen, Colorado AvalancheRantanen's quality rookie campaign is being grossly overlooked due to the Avalanche's horrible season as a team and the trade rumors continuously circling C Matt Duchene, RW Jarome Iginla and LW Gabriel Landeskog. Rantanen has racked up 14 goals and 29 points through 53 contests with 10 of those points coming on the man advantage.While Iginla is sure to be gone ahead of 2017-18, the Avalanche might continue to peddle the services of Duchene and Landeskog throughout the offseason. The loss of any of the three will open up more minutes within the top-six forward group and on the power play for Rantanen.C Travis Konecny, Philadelphia FlyersKonecny's own recent knee injury and C Sean Couturier's knee injury earlier this season have tempered Konecny's productivity, but he has still amassed 22 points in 51 games. He has primarily played out of a top-six role on the left side of the second line, and he has racked up three goals and four points in limited power-play usage. The Flyers will have the vast majority of their forwards return for 2017-18, but Konecny has already secured his spot in the top six.(Photo courtesy Getty Images)D Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia FlyersUnlike Konecny, Provorov should see a significantly increased role next season. Ds Mark Streit and Michael Del Zotto are set to become unrestricted free agents, with Shayne Gostisbehere entering the restricted phase. Provorov is already playing 21:38 per game, mostly on the second pairing at 5v5. He has 24 points through 59 games, with just four assists on the power play. He'll be a first-pairing defender next season.C Pavel Zacha, New Jersey DevilsThe Devils have C Adam Henrique signed for two more seasons and C Travis Zajac locked up through the 2020-21 season, both at reasonable cap hits of $4 and $5.75 million, respectively. This could keep the 19-year-old Zacha in a third-line role for another season. His most common linemates at 5v5 this year have been C Jacob Josefson and RW Stefan Noesen, both of whom are RFAs at year end.With RW P.A. Parenteau a UFA in the summer, Zacha could switch to a top-six winger.(Photo courtesy Action Images)G Jusse Saros, Nashville PredatorsSaros sports a 6-5-3 record through 12 starts and 14 appearances for the Predators. He owns a .929 save percentage and a 2.22 goals against average, posting one shutout. His usage is increasing, as he has fully surpassed G Marek Mazanec as the backup to Pekka Rinne, making four starts in each of the past three months.Nashville will be required to expose one goaltender in the upcoming expansion draft. Both Saros and Mazanec are ineligible to be selected due to their respective levels of NHL experience. The Predators could kiss goodbye to Rinne's $7 million cap hit if the Vegas Golden Knights so choose, allowing Saros to backstop a team built for longterm success.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a whirlwind world tour, James Wisniewski wants to finish his season in North America's top league.The veteran defenseman began 2016-17 at Tampa Bay Lightning training camp, signed a contract with Admiral Vladivostok in the KHL, left to play in Switzerland for HC Lugano in the Spengler Cup, and is now with the AHL's Chicago Wolves on a minor-league deal.He hopes he'll be able to catch the eye of NHL general managers now that he's back on this side of the Atlantic."I was hoping NHL teams would be like, 'Oh, he's playing games (overseas).' But I came to find out that when you're gone out of North America, you're kind of out of sight, out of mind," Wisniewski told Michael Traikos of Postmedia. "... That's why I'm playing in the (AHL). Hopefully a playoff team recognizes that and takes a chance on me and I can prove everyone wrong once again in my career. I feel like I'm not that far from having a 51-point season."Wisniewski hit that point total with Columbus in 2013-14, but was bought out by Carolina last summer after missing all but 47 seconds of 2015-16 due to injury.In three games with the Wolves, he's recorded two goals and one assist, and he could be a savvy addition for a playoff team in need of veteran and offensive experience on the blue line.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Viktor Stalberg appears to have taken his complaining a bit too far.The Carolina Hurricanes forward took umbrage with a slashing call during Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh, leading the referee to open the penalty box door and remind him who's in charge.Stalberg was lucky not to have a misconduct penalty added to his record.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Toews is officially back.After a slow start to the season that had many questioning his All-Star Game selection, the Chicago Blackhawks captain is on an absolute tear, having recorded nine goals and 12 assists in his past 13 games.Related: Toews nets 5 points as Blackhawks down WildWhat's helping Toews is the emergence of consistent linemates, which he seems to have found in gritty Richard Panik and rookie Nick Schmaltz.The latter, for his part, seemed to know it was only a matter of time before Toews found his game."He's always been a great player, he just wasn't getting the bounces there at the start of the year," Schmaltz said, per Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times. "He's always worked so hard. You knew at some point, the tides were going to change for him."Making things easier for Toews is pretty no-look assists from the rookie, who has recorded seven points of his own over the seven games thanks to Toews' resurgence.Despite the early-season struggles and an injury that kept him out of the lineup for several games, the recent surge has Toews on pace for roughly 60 points, only a bit down from his standard levels of production.What's more important for the Blackhawks, however, is that the captain has found his game as the playoffs approach, a time of year that has carried much more weight in Chicago over the past decade it.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a position to qualify for the postseason for the time being, but they might not be there much longer if their starting goaltender can't find his groove.Frederik Andersen was the netminder of record in an overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, but he wasn't on his game from start to finish."Early (on), we were good and (Andersen) wasn't and then he made some good saves down the stretch and we won the game," Leafs head coach Mike Babcock told reporters including The Athletic's James Mirtle afterwards."Some nights, Freddy picks us up," Babcock added. "Tonight, we picked him up."It wasn't just the one game. Andersen has struggled to find his rhythm over the last month or so.Since notching his second straight shutout on Jan. 25, Andersen is 3-3-2 with a 3.67 GAA and a .878 save percentage. He allowed at least four goals in five of those nine games, at least five goals in three of them, and he gave up six in a loss the New York Islanders on Feb. 6.Here's how his basic numbers this season compare to his performance in his three previous campaigns with the Anaheim Ducks:AndersenGPRecordGAASV% Anaheim12577-26-122.33.918Toronto4824-13-102.81.913Sure, there are other issues. Toronto is the NHL's seventh-youngest team, and while it is one of the league's most exciting squads, that youth often makes things a little more difficult for Andersen.The Leafs have the best power play in the league and boast the sixth-most productive offense in terms of goals per game (3.14), but they also allow the third-most shots per contest in all situations (32.5), and that's a big reason they're giving up the eighth-most goals per game (2.9).Not all of that is on Andersen, but the Leafs need him to be better than he's been lately if they hope to avoid being knocked out of the playoff picture for good.Tuesday's win bumped their postseason chances up to 64.5 percent, according to Sports Club Stats, but their grip on a potential playoff berth is by no means secure.The Florida Panthers now sit one point behind them with a game in hand, and both the Boston Bruins and the Islanders are also a point back of the Leafs with equally resurgent clubs since making in-season coaching changes.It won't get any easier for Andersen and the Leafs, either. They host the New York Rangers on Thursday, the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, then embark on a three-game Pacific road swing that begins against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.Leafs management has a well documented long-term vision and this season's results aren't of the utmost importance, but the No. 1 goaltender needs to rediscover his form if the club's short-term goal involves giving this exciting, young group its first taste of playoff experience.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Prior to Tuesday's game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, Xcel Energy Center played host to a wedding between rival fans.Sadly for the bride, her Wild came out on the losing end, falling 5-3 to the Blackhawks.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL trade deadline is set for March 1, and at this point, most teams should have a clear sense of what the plan is.Even though the playoff race remains tight, the Metropolitan Division has clear buyers and sellers.Here's a look at the needs of each of the eight teams.Carolina HurricanesNeed: Top-line centerThe Hurricanes sit at the bottom of the division, but have a bright and promising future, with plenty of young talent already on the roster.Defense is a clear area of strength, and general manager Ron Francis recently admitted he'd be willing to consider using that depth to address an area of weakness.Carolina's biggest flaw is down the middle, where it lacks a top-line scoring center. That kind of deal, however, may have to wait until the offseason.Columbus Blue JacketsNeed: Backup goalieBasically a lock to at least earn a wild-card playoff spot, the Blue Jackets' biggest need is someone to ease Sergei Bobrovsky's load down the stretch.With 24 games remaining on the schedule, the star goalie is 11 starts short of his career high (58), and current backup Joonas Korpisalo hasn't proven reliable enough to trust with more than the odd spot start.New Jersey DevilsNeed: SellForward P.A. Parenteau, defenseman Kyle Quincey, and goalie Keith Kinkaid are all set to become unrestricted free agents at season's end, and are therefore prime candidates to be moved prior to the deadline.GM Ray Shero might also like to dump the contract of recently scratched forward Mike Cammalleri, but, with two years and $10 million remaining on the deal, that's probably easier wished for than done.New York IslandersNeed: Reason for John Tavares to stayAfter a disappointing start to the season, the Islanders are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and should be looking for any and every opportunity to make sure they get in.Tavares, the face of the franchise, can hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent in 2018, and Garth Snow can ill afford to have his team take a major step backward after a second-round appearance in 2016.The Islanders have the pieces to pull off a big deal, and, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday, have been on Matt Duchene's trail since November.That'll play.New York RangersNeed: Scoring D, veteran experienceThe Rangers, like every team in the NHL, would love to add a scoring, top-pair defenseman. They pulled off a deal like that in 2015 for Keith Yandle, who was not sufficiently replaced after being dealt to Florida before hitting UFA status.What's more attainable is veteran depth up front, and a player like Brian Boyle - who spent five seasons with the Rangers earlier in his career - would be a wise addition to New York's young crop of forwards.Philadelphia FlyersNeed: SellThe Flyers could be a target for teams in need of help on the blue line, with Mark Streit, Michael Del Zotto, and Nick Schultz all playing on expiring contracts.Both goalies - Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth - are set to become UFAs, and could fetch decent returns on the trade market, while depth forwards like Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Chris VandeVelde could also be moved.In short, GM Ron Hextall should remain patient and resist any temptation to trade prospects for a seeming quick fix.Pittsburgh PenguinsNeed: Defense, scoring wingerThe Penguins are currently down three defensemen, with Justin Schultz, Olli Maatta, and Trevor Daley all out with various injuries. Bringing in help on the blue line, then, is key for GM Jim Rutherford.At the same time, Sidney Crosby - who's recently been playing with Chris Kunitz and Jake Guentzel - could use a winger who's a bit closer to his level, but that's an old song in Pittsburgh and he always seems to get the job done regardless.As an aside, the Penguins also have to make a decision on Marc-Andre Fleury, but that likely won't happen until after the postseason.Washington CapitalsNeeds: None, reallyThe Capitals boast a roster built to win now, with no apparent weaknesses.Washington already added Tom Gilbert on defense, and could look to further shore up that position. Up front, the Capitals added depth last summer, and seem set to enter the playoffs with the current mix.Change is afoot in the offseason either way, as the club has several free agents to deal with. For now, it'll be hit or miss with the current group.(Photos courtesy: USA TODAY Sports)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Jonathan Toews had three goals and two assists and the Chicago Blackhawks beat rival Minnesota 5-3 on Tuesday night for their second win over the Western Conference-leading Wild in less than two weeks.Toews notched his fourth career hat trick on an empty-netter with 1:02 left to stave off a spirited rally by the Wild, who began a franchise-record eight-game homestand on Feb. 8 with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Blackhawks. Toews had a goal and two assists in that one and has 37 points in 35 career games against Minnesota.Chicago's captain has been chewing up almost everyone else, too, with 20 points in his last 12 games. Toews' wing men Nick Schmaltz and Richard Panik had the other goals, giving the Blackhawks 34 goals in their last eight games. Their first line totaled nine points.Mikael Granlund's second power-play goal for the Wild brought them within 4-3, before Ryan Suter hit the crossbar with a shot that nearly tied it.The game was played in front of the largest crowd of the season in Minnesota, an overflow paid attendance of 19,333 filled out with the usual smattering of boisterous Blackhawks fans. They got the first chance to fully cheer when Toews knocked in the rebound of Brian Campbell's slap shot that Devan Dubnyk wasn't able to glove in the first minute of the second period.Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, back from a four-game absence because of a lower-body injury, was in Dubnyk's way as the All-Star goalie tried to freeze the puck. The night didn't improve for Dumba, whose turnover behind the goal line less than five minutes later gave Toews possession for a slick setup for Panik and a 2-1 lead.Dubnyk was awfully busy in that middle frame, making a diving save to deny Patrick Kane's chip from the edge of the crease a little later and then letting Brent Seabrook's shot ping off the post.The Blackhawks outshot the Wild 13-5 in the second period and took a two-goal lead just 33 seconds into the final frame when Toews beat Mikko Koivu on a faceoff before the puck scooted toward Schmaltz for a wrist shot that Dubnyk never saw.Zach Parise's blind redirect of Marco Scandella's shot brought the Wild back within one. He had another one waved off by a high stick call.Dubnyk stopped 34 shots, and Corey Crawford had 29 saves for Chicago.NOTES: The Blackhawks are 20-5-1 when Toews gets at least one point. ... The Wild lost by more than one goal for only the fifth time this season. ... Exactly one year ago, the Wild beat the Blackhawks 6-1 in an outdoor game at the University of Minnesota's football stadium that was interim coach John Torchetti's home debut behind the Wild bench.UP NEXTChicago: The Blackhawks return home to start a four-game homestand, beginning with Arizona on Thursday.Minnesota: The Wild come back from their bye to host Los Angeles on Monday and start the final stretch of 23 games in 41 days.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets put on one hell of a show Tuesday night.The teams combined for nine goals, with Jake Gardiner bringing the thrilling game to an end with a snipe over the catching glove of Connor Hellebuyck.Gardiner is now tied with former Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf for the fourth-most regular-season overtime goals by a Maple Leafs defenseman with three.Meanwhile, in two overtime games this season, the Jets and Maple Leafs have each come away with a 5-4 win. Unfortunately, barring some incredible playoff runs, the next installment of this rivalry will have to wait until next season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators just keep winning.Playing shorthanded Tuesday - forwards Bobby Ryan, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman are all on the shelf - the Senators took it to the New Jersey Devils, coming away with a 2-1 victory.The latest string of injuries didn't deter the Senators, with coach Guy Boucher noting his club was focused on the positives."For us, it's a great victory. You look at what's missing, it can be scary, but we looked at what we had, and that was the one thing we talked about," Boucher said. "We have a great goaltender, everybody was healthy on defense, we know our structures that players have bought into, and guys are really solid inside the structure, so that's what we wanted to rely on."

There's at least one person out there who's happy not to be a superstar rookie in today's NHL - Leo Komarov.The Toronto Maple Leafs forward spoke after the crazy second meeting between the top two picks in the 2016 draft. Patrik Laine posted two goals and Auston Matthews contributed three assists in the contest, but Komarov noted he's happy he doesn't get the same spotlight.

Patrik Laine wasn't the only rookie setting franchise marks on Tuesday.With an assist on Leo Komarov's second-period goal against the Winnipeg Jets, Auston Matthews set a Toronto Maple Leafs record for the most points in a season by a rookie teenager.Related: Watch: Komarov pockets goal after pretty feed from NylanderMatthews picked up his 50th point on the play to pass Ted Kennedy's previous mark of 49, which had stood since the 1943-44 season. Matthews would go on to pad that total, picking up another assist on William Nylander's 17th goal of the season, then adding his third helper of the night on Jake Gardiner's overtime winner for point No. 52 on the campaign.Of course, with Mitch Marner sitting on 48 points, it's virtually a given he will pass Kennedy's point total as a teen as well.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Filip Forsberg went to work.The Nashville Predators forward scored his 17th goal of the season in Tuesday's contest versus the Calgary Flames before adding two more in the same period.Most impressive? Forsberg notched the hat trick perfectly, going 3-for-3 in the shot category.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Claude Julien has Carey Price to thank for his first win since rejoining the Montreal Canadiens.Price made a diving save in the closing seconds of overtime, robbing New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller after a perfect feed from Kevin Hayes on a 2-on-1 rush.The save would help send the game to a shootout, where Price would make an additional four saves on five shots to secure the 3-2 victory.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to the club Patrik.With his goal in the final seconds of the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, Patrik Laine becomes just the fourth player in the last 20 seasons to score 30 goals in the first season after his draft.Laine also passes Ilya Kovalchuck for the most goals by a Jets/Thrashers rookie in a single season.Related: Laine buries rocket to tie Jets/Thrashers rookie goal-scoring record

The grades are in.Speaking with Sportsnet's Tim & Sid on Tuesday, Brian Burke offered up a report card of the Calgary Flames goaltenders.It's good news for Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson."There were stretches where each of the two goaltenders has been excellent for us," said Burke, president of hockey operations for the Flames. "We think we're set in goal going forward, that's our plan. If you give your report card to the goaltenders for the year, and to us for being satisfied with what we had going into the year, you probably give us a 'B' on that."The Flames finished with the worst goaltending a year ago, when Karri Ramo, Jonas Hiller, and Joni Ortio shared crease time. Over the summer, Calgary brought in two new faces, signing Johnson in free agency and acquiring Elliott from the St. Louis Blues after the team walked away from talks to acquire Ben Bishop from the Tampa Bay Lightning.With Johnson and Elliott in tow, the Flames have seen a slight uptick, with the team's save rate coming in at .901, but still ranking 24th league-wide and last in the Pacific.It's been a tale of two seasons in the Calgary crease, with Johnson starting strong and tapering off, and Elliott coming on in the season's later months.Time FrameGoalieRecordGAASV%Oct - NovJohnson7-4-12.23.922Dec - FebJohnson9-9-02.92.897Oct - NovElliott3-9-13.31.885Dec - FebElliott9-4-22.30.910Both Johnson and Elliott are unrestricted at season's end.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In vintage form, Patrik Laine has matched the Jets/Thrashers franchise rookie record.With yet another rocket of a one-timer, Laine picked up his 29th goal of the season, tying Ilya Kovalchuck for the most in a single season by a first-year player in franchise history.Kovalchuck finished with 29 goals and 51 points in 65 games with the Atlanta Thrashers back during the 2001-02 season.With the goal, Laine also knotted the game up with the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Change is a good thing.New York Islanders forward Ryan Strome has been on a torrid pace since a change behind the bench Jan. 17, when the team replaced coach Jack Capuano with Doug Weight.In 16 games under his new boss, Strome has tallied five goals and six assists, good for a 0.69 points per game pace, virtually double the 0.36 he had under Capuano.Scoring just 14 points in 39 games to start the season, Strome was an early season scratch by Capuano, leaving the young winger at a loss for words. It was a repeat of the playoffs, when Strome was benched for three of New York's 11 postseason contests.The Islanders wanted more from the former fifth overall pick, but despite his slide to 28 points last season after scoring 50 the previous year, the team agreed to a two-year extension with Strome in the offseason.Fortunately, Strome's scoring touch is once again at the forefront. The Islanders will need that pace to keep up, with the team set to begin a nine-game road trip that will have them away from Brooklyn until March 13.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL has heard the complaints and plans to tweak how bye weeks are incorporated into next season's schedule.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly was on TSN 1040 radio in Vancouver on Tuesday and revealed that changes to how the bye weeks are implemented will be made in 2017-18, since clubs coming off their breaks this year have been, for the most part, dismal. He called this season's schedule a "learning process."This season, bye weeks - a five-day break for each club - were instituted for January and February, and began on Jan. 1. Daly said next season the league will try to fit each team's time off in a two-week block."We're going to try and find two dedicated weeks and perhaps split the clubs up almost on a 50-50 basis, so that each group of clubs will be having their bye weeks at the same time," Daly said. "And then perhaps we can schedule a little bit better out of those bye weeks, in terms of clubs who've had rest versus clubs who haven't had rest and the like."Teams are 4-12-4 coming off their bye, as opponents not on their break have for the most part feasted on teams that have been off.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Now may be the time to snag tickets to this weekend’s Stadium Series game at Heinz Field.The Penguins and Flyers take it outside for the first time in the rivalry’s history on Saturday, and it won’t cost an arm and a leg to be on hand. On TicketIQ, a search engine that pools ticket data from over 90 percent of the resale market, Penguins tickets against the Flyers are the second cheapest in Stadium Series history.With the two teams meeting in the sole Stadium Series game this season, the average resale price for tickets is now $178. That makes slightly more expensive than a 2016 game between the Wild and Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, where tickets owned a record low $160 average.For fans with interest in just getting past the gates at Heinz Field, the cheapest available tickets are currently fetching for $91 each in Section 507. The priciest tickets clock at $706 each in Section 211.Saturday’s game marks Pittsburgh’s first outdoor game 2011’s Winter Classic, which was also held at Heinz Field. That game owned a $489 ticket average and $238 get-in price on TicketIQ. The Capitals would go on to defeat the Penguins, 3-1, in front of a crowd of 68,000.The Flyers are set to play in their first outdoor game since 2012's Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park. They were defeated by the Rangers, 3-2, in Philadelphia’s first-ever outdoor game. That year Winter Classic tickets owned a $504 average and $284 asking price.For the best deals on NHL tickets this season, download the TicketIQ app. Offering fans 10 percent savings on all IQ Certified listings, the TicketIQ app is the most transparent ticket buying platform in the marketplace today. Download the TicketIQ app and start saving today!TicketIQ is a leading event ticket search engine with one simple goal: providing consumers with the most transparent and affordable buying experience. We aggregate listings from hundreds of certified sellers across every major sporting, music, and theater event - including deals from Ticketmaster's Official Exchanges and our Low Price Guarantee listings. Start discovering and saving now.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you ask Patrik Laine, it isn't Laine versus Auston Matthews. It's the Winnipeg Jets versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.The Jets and Leafs tangle for the second time this season in Toronto Tuesday, with the two rookies set to face each other again, after being drafted one-two in the summer.Laine was bludgeoned with talk of the rivalry ahead of the game, and you can tell the subject is getting tirefor the young Finn."Um, I think we're playing against Toronto, I'm not sure, but, yeah, I don't care," Laine said Tuesday when asked if he pays any extra attention to the matchup and rivalry. "I think the media is trying to make a bigger deal out of that. We're focused on playing against the Maple Leafs."Laine had a hat trick - the first of his career - against Toronto the first time the teams met in October in Winnipeg, while Matthews had an assist and seven shots on goal. The Jets won 5-4 on overtime, Laine - obviously - scoring the winner.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens are willing to deal Greg Pateryn.A couple general managers confirmed that a league-wide memo was sent out by the Canadiens noting that the 26-year-old is available, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.Pateryn has served as a scratch for much of the season, having dressed in only 22 games, while mounting just one goal and six points. With his name now on the trade block, Pateryn is scheduled to take the ice for the first time in 10 days Tuesday when the club visits the New York Rangers.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler is unimpressed with the NHL's most recent designation of player discipline.Wheeler called out the Department of Player Safety for its inconsistency in doling out penalties on Tuesday, after seeing teammate Jacob Trouba handed a two-game suspension for a questionable hit on Ottawa Senators winger Mark Stone.Wheeler was caught with a controversial hit from Pittsburgh Penguins pivot Evgeni Malkin last week, but the Russian star escaped major punishment, receiving only a minor penalty."Makes you wonder: If you sit out a couple days, does he get a phone call?" Wheeler said to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "That leaves a lot of room for interpretation on my end. You just like to see consistency.""From my perspective, you’d like to see the guy (Malkin) at least get a phone call. You don’t touch the puck. Leaves his feet. Hits you in the head. That’s the unfortunate part about it."Wheeler wasn't done."Malkin’s a pretty good hockey player. I think he knows who has the puck and when they have the puck," Wheeler said. "His instincts are pretty good out there. I never had the puck. I never even saw him coming. He comes from the side of me. All I felt was my head snap back. Why is he hitting me at all? It has no impact on the play whatsoever."Aside from expressing frustration over his own situation, Wheeler suggested the league's approach isn't helping players moving forward."You can live with (Trouba) getting two games as long as there’s consistency throughout," he said. "You like to feel protected out there. With what’s transpired in the last week, it raises a lot of questions."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs will provide an interesting sub-plot when their teams meet Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre.They are the two top rookie-of-the-year candidates and both are key players on their respective teams.Adding to the intrigue is that Matthews was the first pick overall in the 2016 NHL draft and Laine was the second."I think they'll be writing about that for 20 years, won't they?" Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after a 4-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes Sunday, when asked if the two rookies will make the game that much more exciting."I think it's always good to compete. I think the competitive guys want to compete every night and want to compete against the best. Laine is a heck of a player and Winnipeg has got a real good team. It should be fun."Laine leads rookie scoring with 28 goals and 24 assists in 54 games. Matthews, who scored a spectacular goal on Sunday, is next with 28 goals and 21 assists in 58 contests.After having two assists in the 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators Sunday, Laine was named NHL's First Star of the Week the following day.The 18-year-old scored five goals and added three assists to contribute to three wins and an overtime loss.Toronto's Nazem Kadri was the NHL's Second Star with four goals and two assists.Matthews, 19, scored two goals and had two assists last week."(Matthews is) just going to get better and better and better," Babcock said. "He has a chance to be a dominant player in this league. What I like is his 'drivetrain' is such that he wants to do that and he's a young kid getting better every day in a real hard league. He's an important player for us."This will be the second game of the season between the teams. The Jets came back for a 5-4 overtime victory Oct. 20.The Maple Leafs led 4-0 in the second period when Laine led the comeback with his first NHL hat trick, including the overtime winner, which followed Matthews' miss on a breakaway. Matthews had one assist in the game.The Maple Leafs (27-20-11) are 4-5-2 over their past 11 games.The Jets (28-29-5) are 5-4-1 over their past 10 despite a four-game losing streak Feb. 4-11."We're coming together pretty good here," Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. "We have four lines playing the same way, there seems to be different guys contributing every night and that's what you need to win games."Jets center Mathieu Perreault said: "Two years ago, when we made the playoffs we were a physical team, and that's kind of how we got into the playoffs. If we want to have any chance we have to go back to that, and now it's working."The Jets will be without defenseman Jacob Trouba for two games after the league suspended him Monday for an illegal hit to the head of Senators right winger Mark Stone during the third period.Meanwhile, Maple Leafs rookie Mitch Marner, who has 15 goals and 33 assists in 56 games, is listed as day to day after missing the past two contests with an injured right shoulder.The Jets are on the fringe of the playoffs, one point removed from a wild-card spot."We've got to string as many together as we can. It's not about how, it's about how many you can put together," Wheeler said. "We've found our game here. ...so we've got a huge one coming up in Toronto."Said Matthews: "I think these games now heading into this part of the season are must-win. It's a tight race in our division and our conference. All of these games are very important."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In mid-November, the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2016-17 campaign took one to the gut. Captain Steven Stamkos was ruled out with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, sidelined once again by significant injury.After two straight years of conference finals appearances - the first of which was extended to the Stanley Cup Final - the Lightning's impressive run looked as good as done without their top offensive weapon.But heading into the home stretch of the season, Tampa Bay has hung on. The club certainly isn't in an enviable position - ranked fifth among the eight Eastern Conference teams fighting to enter the wild-card picture - but it sits only six points out of a playoff berth.Dominant efforts from young gun Jonathan Drouin and emerging superstar Nikita Kucherov have played key roles in keeping the Lightning afloat. But behind them, Victor Hedman, the team's lone constant, has quietly been the one driving the bus as he enters the next phase of his career.Hedman isn't new to stardom. He's been considered one of the game's elite rearguards for years, and proved his worth during Tampa Bay's recent postseason runs. He's taken another step in 2016-17, however, raising his offensive ceiling to meet the league's other star blue-liners.Through 55 games this season, the 26-year-old Swede has amassed 10 goals and 48 points. Those 10 tallies have already tied the total he's posted in each of the past two seasons, and are just three off his career high with 24 games remaining on the schedule.Hedman's playmaking ability has been the true game-changer though. He's already put up 38 assists this season - tied for fifth-highest among all NHL skaters. The only rearguard with more helpers is Erik Karlsson, who's no stranger to putting up absurd numbers.(Photo courtesy: USA Today Sports)Hedman's best offensive season came in 2013-14, when he racked up 55 points in 75 games. He's on pace to obliterate that total this season, his current trajectory putting him on track for 69 points by the Lightning's final regular-season game.Should he reach that plateau, it would rank as the highest point total of any defenseman in team history - the current benchmark is Roman Hamrlik's 65-point effort in 1995-96.The Lightning are surely relieved to have Hedman scoring at an improved clip, as Stamkos' absence has left them starved for offensive contribution throughout the lineup once again.With Hedman rolling and Drouin establishing himself among the game's most promising stars, the Lightning have life. And with Stamkos taking the ice again in preparation for his eventual return, Tampa Bay might just claw its way back into the postseason picture before all is said and done.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.In 2015, the National Hockey League and the NHLPA agreed to add "bye weeks" to this season's schedule, where each team is given five consecutive days off (no practice or games) doled out between January 1 and the beginning of March.While the "bye week" was negotiated into the CBA as compensation for the players in exchange for the league's wacky 3-on-3 All-Star Game tournament format, it has turned into a cash machine for savvy bettors fading teams coming off their breaks.As of February 21, there have been 20 teams that have completed their league mandated holiday and those 20 teams are a staggering 4-16 (20 percent) on the moneyline in their first game back. Breaking down this unique situation even further, teams returning from their mid-season vacations on home ice are a pathetic 2-12 (14.29 percent) on the moneyline with teams returning on the road posting a 2-4 record (33.33 percent).Total bettors are also being treated to a trend worth tracking. While not as eye-popping as the moneyline numbers, Unders are seeing an advantage coming out of the "bye week" with an Over-Under-Push record of 7-10-3 (58.82 percent), and 5-8-0 (61.54 percent) in games featuring a betting total of 5.5 goals or higher.What does this all mean? No practice during the break means teams are not sharp upon their return? Too much partying in the Caribbean sun (or back home with friends and family) is causing a hangover effect? All of the above?Whatever the reason, it's time to start paying attention to the 10 remaining teams and their after "bye week" matchups.Anaheim Ducks - March 3 vs. TorontoBuffalo Sabres - February 25 @ ColoradoColumbus Blue Jackets - February 25 vs. NY IslandersDallas Stars - February 24 vs. ArizonaDetroit Red Wings - February 28 @ VancouverMinnesota Wild - February 27 vs. Los AngelesSan Jose Sharks - February 25 @ VancouverSt. Louis Blues - February 26 @ ChicagoVancouver Canucks - February 25 vs. San JoseWinnipeg Jets - February 28 vs MinnesotaCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The results are in, and it's not good news for the Ottawa Senators.After a weekend full of injuries to key forwards, the Senators provided some updates Tuesday after the morning skate.Per TSN's Darren Dreger:

Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving wasn't about to wait until the March 1 trade deadline to start swinging deals, and one week before the scheduled cutoff, Treliving got his man.The Flames added defenseman Michael Stone from the Arizona Coyotes on Monday, giving up a 2017 third-round pick and a 2018 conditional fifth-round pick to snag the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent.There's plenty right with the deal from the Flames' perspective. That in mind, here are three things to know about the acquisition:Low risk, high rewardTreliving was able to buy low on the rearguard after a down year in Arizona but Stone - coming off knee surgery - has shown potential to perform well above his recent level.He was a highly offensive blue-liner during his junior days, posting two 60-point seasons and a 21-goal campaign in his final WHL season. Stone was also a dominant playoff performer before his NHL tenure, scoring at nearly a point per game pace as he helped capture a WHL championship back in 2010.The Flames manager is well aware of all of this, as Treliving was an assistant GM with the Coyotes when they drafted Stone in 2008, while current Flames scout Don Maloney served as GM at the time.Stone's attributes at the NHL level remain impressive in their own right - notable size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), a right-hand shot, and top-four skill at both ends of the rink.Plus there's very little risk involved.Besides the fact that Calgary lost only a pair of mid-round picks, Arizona is also paying half of Stone's $4-million salary - making him the cheapest of the team's six starting defenders. As well, Stone won't affect the team's expansion draft plans as he's signed only until this summer.No place like dome That exceptional junior hockey tenure? It came in Calgary Hitmen colors.Stone's best career stretch took place at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the same building he'll now call home as an NHLer, where he played four seasons and served as the Hitmen's captain.That sense of familiarity surely can't hurt.He took a step back from his offense-first approach during his time with the Coyotes organization, but last year the 26-year-old found a healthy balance between jumping into the play and hanging back, posting a career-best 36 points in 75 games for Arizona.In Calgary, he'll have the green light to showcase his scoring skill far more often, as the Flames' offensive blue line has been one of their key strengths over the past few seasons. Luckily he has plenty of experience putting pucks in the net at the 'dome, so it should come naturally.Brodie's redemptionWithout a doubt, the most significant aspect of Stone's addition is his potential impact on T.J. Brodie.Brodie nearly took over the mantle of Calgary's No.1 rearguard last season, posting a career-high 45 points and leading the team in ice-time - a fitting step in what was becoming a dominant ascent.But 2016-17 has put him right back into the middle of the pack.The 26-year-old has seen his points per game pace drop from 0.64 last season down to 0.39 this year, and has been on the receiving end of far more goals against in 2016-17.The central factor in Brodie's apparent off-year? He's lost his first-pair role alongside captain Mark Giordano to young Dougie Hamilton, leaving Brodie shackled with Deryk Engelland or Dennis Wideman for the majority of the season.In Stone, Brodie will find a much more stable defensive partner - one with a strong enough two-way game to either hang back and let Brodie fly or jump into the play himself, depending on the circumstance.Stone isn't moving the needle all that much in regards to the Flames' playoff chances, but if he can help Brodie get his game back, he'll give Calgary all they need to take the next step.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The lead-up to the trade deadline has been, well, underwhelming. An unofficial trade embargo seems to have been placed on 30 front offices, as the upcoming expansion draft and an unclear playoff picture has made the market murky.Despite the early difficulties in manufacturing deals, we're just over a week away from deadline day, and several teams - in contention or out of it - have roster situations to address.Below, we'll dive into the needs of each team in the Pacific Division.Anaheim DucksNeed: Goal-scorerIn principle, Anaheim's deadline plan seems quite simple. The Ducks need scoring, and have a surplus of talented, coveted defensemen.Related: 3 forwards the offense-starved Ducks should trade forAnaheim ranks 18th in the NHL with 154 goals for this season, and desperately needs some more offense on the wing to make a playoff run.Arizona CoyotesNeed: SellIt's been a lost season in the desert, and the Coyotes began shedding contracts when they traded Michael Stone to the Flames on Monday.Arizona still has plenty of intriguing trade candidates, mainly up front, as Radim Vrbata, Martin Hanzal, and captain Shane Doan have been mentioned in the rumor mill.Accumulating draft picks has to be the plan for general manager John Chayka, and taking on extra salary from trade partners is an option as well.Calgary FlamesNeed: Don't push itCalgary is currently clinging to the second wild-card spot in the West - not a particularly enviable position, as it most likely means a first-round meeting with Minnesota.The Flames addressed a need by acquiring Stone, who should help ease the pressure on Calgary's top pairing, but this roster doesn't exactly exude the aura of a Stanley Cup contender.Both Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson are impending UFAs, as are defensemen Dennis Wideman and Deryk Engelland, all of whom could fetch useful draft picks.Edmonton OilersNeed: Backup goalieCam Talbot leads the NHL with 53 starts this season, and with a playoff spot well within reach, the Oilers need to offer their go-to guy some rest.Talbot has been outstanding this season - he's been the Oilers' most important player outside their captain - but Peter Chiarelli needs to scope the market for a reliable backup plan.Of course, Edmonton would love to add a top-four defenseman, but in this year's market, that's much easier said than done.Los Angeles KingsNeed: Goal-scorerSave for Jeff Carter, who's potted the second-most goals in the NHL this season, the Kings are starved for offense. Tanner Pearson is the only other player on Los Angeles to reach double digits in goals this year, one of the main reasons the two-time champs find themselves outside the playoff picture.If a deal becomes available, Dean Lombardi should take it, but he needs to consider the future. Pearson and Tyler Toffoli need new contracts next season, and the Kings would be wise to create some room in a tight cap situation.San Jose SharksNeed: Stand patThe Sharks own virtually the exact same roster that reached the Stanley Cup Final last season, and hardly have a glaring need anywhere on the ice.San Jose currently leads the Pacific by a five-point cushion, and doesn't need to force anything after being one of the most consistent teams this season.Vancouver CanucksNeed: SellThe Canucks aren't going to win the Stanley Cup, and they aren't going to give up assets just to make the playoffs, so that means it's time to shed some salary.Both Alex Burrows and Ryan Miller are pending UFAs, and while they each have a no-trade clause, both veterans would surely welcome an opportunity to compete in the playoffs.Vancouver should try to sell high on both players and restock the fifth- and sixth-round selections that are missing from this year's draft board.(Photos courtesy: USA TODAY Sports)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who hasn't played since mid-November because of a torn meniscus in his knee, is back on the ice, practicing separately from his team as he continues to rehab.Stamkos was in full gear Tuesday morning working on stickhandling, shooting, and one-timers with assistant coach Brad Lauer, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.The 27-year-old's initial recovery period was estimated at four-to-six months, and there still isn't a clear idea of when he might return to game action."He's progressing well," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "He's doing well, but can't give a return date yet."Before the injury, Stamkos recorded nine goals and 11 assists in 17 games. The Lightning have managed a 16-18-7 record in his absence.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After making team history and striking fear in the hearts of fellow Eastern Conference teams vying for a playoff seed, the Florida Panthers are on cloud nine.The Cats concluded a momentous five-game road trip Monday versus the Blues in dramatic fashion, as Vincent Trocheck sailed a slap shot past Jake Allen with just 4.6 seconds left in the final frame.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Feb. 21 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):Dynamic Duos

Every Tuesday, theScore's hockey editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."Calgary FlamesTrade Target: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay LightningCalgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving already addressed one of his club's needs by trading for defenseman Michael Stone. With a week left to go before the deadline, it's time to shore up the rest of the roster.That starts in net, where Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson have been decent enough but surely not great. Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Ben Bishop could serve as an excellent long-term upgrade, and with Andrei Vasilevskiy signed long term and level with Bishop in starts this season, the Lightning look willing to deal.The Flames would need to make room for Bishop's hefty contract - now and moving forward - but the fact he's an unrestricted free agent this summer likely brings the price down a bit.There's no question the veteran represents a considerable upgrade for the Flames, especially after a strong 2015-16 season that saw him finish as the Vezina Trophy runner-up.Edmonton OilersTrade Target: Keith Kinkaid, New Jersey DevilsFor the first time in a long time, the Edmonton Oilers are sitting pretty heading into the deadline, ranked second in the Pacific Division. But despite Connor McDavid's offensive dominance, there are still holes to be filled, especially if the club wants to avoid a quick first-round exit in its postseason return.Defense is the perennial need in Edmonton, but a more pressing one right now is finding a backup goaltender to help out Cam Talbot, who's started 53 of the team's 59 games. Talbot has been exceptional, but if injury strikes, the Oilers will have few options - backups Jonas Gustavsson and Laurent Brossoit have failed to impress this season.The Oilers don't need a big name here. New Jersey Devils netminder Keith Kinkaid could be an affordable option. The 27-year-old has a .913 save percentage this season and plenty of starts under his belt. Plus, the Devils still owe Peter Chiarelli for the Taylor Hall deal.Montreal CanadiensTrade Target: Mike Ribeiro, Nashville PredatorsThe Montreal Canadiens have been hampered by injuries all season long, yet they've managed to remain atop their division through it all. Their stars have held down the fort but adding some offensive depth before the playoffs seems wise given the team's recent luck.General manager Marc Bergevin made waves with the decision to add Alexander Radulov in the offseason, ignoring the perceived attitude issues and rolling the dice on his skill. The gamble has clearly paid off, so how about another try? Mike Ribeiro's time with the Nashville Predators is clearly coming to an end, and after enduring the waiver wire, a return to his hometown and first NHL club could be just the inspiration he needs to rediscover his touch.The veteran posted 50 points just last season, and amassed 25 points through 46 appearances this year. Ribeiro's still got the hands and vision to make an impact, and it's hard to imagine the asking price will be very high.Ottawa SenatorsTrade Target: P.A. Parenteau, New Jersey DevilsThe Ottawa Senators' trade deadline needs changed dramatically in the last few days, as the club recently lost Bobby Ryan, Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, and Tommy Wingels to injury.But the Senators still rank second in their division, so packing up and going home likely isn't on the agenda. Ottawa has some cap space to work with, but the team also stays on the lighter side of things financially, so a blockbuster move to add offensive depth may not be in the cards.New Jersey Devils veteran P.A. Parenteau is likely the best bargain-bin offer the Senators will be able to find, coming in with a $1.3-million cap hit and 13 goals on the year.The 33-year-old is fresh off a 20-goal campaign last season for the Toronto Maple Leafs - and that performance came before Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were in town, so it's clear Parenteau could provide the Senators with an offensive boost all on his own while Ottawa's stars heal up.Toronto Maple LeafsTrade Target: Anthony Duclair, Arizona CoyotesWith only 24 games left on the schedule, the Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff hopes are still firmly intact. And the club has an absurd amount of space to work with - as much as $13 million - as it approaches the trade deadline, courtesy of a few recent LTIR moves.Toronto could use that money to buy big, adding centerman Matt Duchene or defender Kevin Shattenkirk, but that may not be the right approach. The Leafs have enough space to fit in all of the big-ticket deadline names, but they aren't getting any of them without giving up one or more of their young stars - a clear deal-breaker.A better option: Bring in more elite young talent that can grow with the team past 2016-17. Arizona Coyotes winger Anthony Duclair has fallen out of favor with the club's head office after a fairly tumultuous campaign. But the 21-year-old collected 20 goals and 44 points last season, and has plenty of talent still untapped.The asking price likely isn't enormous, and if Duclair can rediscover his offensive consistency under head coach Mike Babcock, it could be a game-changing steal for Toronto.Vancouver CanucksTrade Target: Curtis Lazar, Ottawa SenatorsIf there's one Canadian team that should most definitely not load up at the deadline, it's the Vancouver Canucks. Their hopes aren't necessarily dashed, but it's clear Vancouver isn't getting far even if it does make the cut. All effort should be directed to selling off its veteran assets while the club can still get something in return.That said, if the Canucks have a chance to add some young talent in the process, the need is surely there. Vancouver is starved for youth, with Bo Horvat ranking as the lone young, talented, NHL-ready piece moving forward.Ottawa's Curtis Lazar has seen his name pop up in trade talks as of late while the 22-year-old continues to watch games from the press box. It might be a harder deal to swing now that the Senators' forward corps has been depleted, but if they're still willing to move the former first-round pick, the Canucks should move quickly to add the British Columbia native.Lazar, a former Team Canada teammate of Horvat's, has just one point through 31 games this season, but remains a talented prospect with a strong junior resume - including a 41-goal, 76-point WHL season in 2013-14.Winnipeg JetsTrade Target: Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Winnipeg Jets' young offense has run rampant, with Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele emerging as two of the game's most potent scorers. But their lackluster goaltending has nearly negated that, as the team's minus-14 goal differential has them sitting just outside the playoff picture.Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Marc-Andre Fleury is likely to accept a deal out of town before the deadline, since the Penguins want to protect Matt Murray from the expansion draft and Fleury wants to play.The asking price has been high in the past, as Fleury still has the potential to be an elite starter, but the Jets have plenty of interesting options to include in a potential deal.The Penguins are in need of some defensive depth after losing Olli Maatta and Justin Schultz to injury. Jacob Trouba would be the most obvious returning option, though Winnipeg could also offer up smooth-skating veteran Toby Enstrom, who isn't part of their future plans and would likely thrive in the Penguins' system.(Photos courtesy: USA Today Sports)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.The following three trades are all based on pure speculation, but each move would come with significant fantasy implications. Each player listed as been heavily involved in trade rumors and the following destinations not only make sense, but would also maximize their fantasy value.C/LW Matt Duchene to PittsburghIt's rare for the Pittsburgh Penguins to have Cs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin healthy, so don't be shocked if general manager Jim Rutherford tries to pull off a bold trade like this in an attempt to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. Pittsburgh has only $5.1 million in cap space, per Spotrac, so some shifting of contracts would need to be done in order to accommodate Duchene's $6 million cap hit.Though he is a natural center, Duchene has spent a good chunk of time playing the wing throughout his career. If this move were to come to fruition, he would be placed on a line with either Crosby or Malkin, therefore substantially increasing his fantasy value. This would be a dream come true for Duchene owners.D Kevin Shattenkirk to TorontoThe St. Louis Blues are 7-2 since Mike Yeo took over as head coach. As a result, they have climbed back into third place in the Central Division and may have second thoughts about moving Shattenkirk, who is set to become a UFA at the end of the season. However, it doesn't seem likely St. Louis will sign him to a contract extension considering they have Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko on the right side of the back end.If Shattenkirk does get moved, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be an ideal destination. Not only do they have plenty of cap room and a plethora of prospects, but they are also desperate for a top defenseman like Shattenkirk. If St. Louis were seeking someone who could help them now rather than prospects and picks, LW James van Riemsdyk could come in as legitimate trade chip.Shattenkirk would go from being the fourth-most used defenseman in terms of minutes played on a St. Louis team ranked 25th in 5v5 xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes) to the most-used defenseman on a Leafs team sitting second in xGF60. In addition to Toronto's 5v5 numbers, he would also anchor their league-best power play.G Ben Bishop to WinnipegBishop is a UFA at the end of the season. Andrei Vasilevskiy looks like their goaltender of the future, so keeping Bishop past March 1 doesn't make sense considering the Lightning are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division.The only issue with trading Bishop and his $5.95 million cap hit is finding a potential suitor. The Jets have only $4.5 million in cap space, so fellow goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who is also a UFA at the end of the year, might have to head back the other way to make it work.The Jets have the eighth-lowest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) at 5v5 this year, but they have allowed the fourth-most goals against per game. Shoddy goaltending and a poor penalty kill are the main reasons for this discrepancy.Bishop and Vasilevskiy have been splitting starting duties all season, so the stock of each goaltender would rise in this situation. Jets G Connor Hellebuyck would be droppable.Advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are paying homage to their roots.When the Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks on March 18, they'll don Toronto St. Pats jerseys, honoring the franchise's 1919-27 moniker.Here's a look at the full getup, which ties into Toronto's year-long centennial celebration:

Despite the market accommodating the sellers, the Calgary Flames don't think they overpaid for Michael Stone - the blue-liner obtained Monday from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a third-round draft selection and a conditional fifth-round pick.General manager Brad Treliving said that the versatile right-shot defender fits the billing of a relatively low-cost addition to the back end who can have an impact down the stretch."(Stone) can do a lot of things. If you look at his history, he's been able to log a lot of minutes. He can play on both sides of special teams," Treliving told reporters, adding that Stone possesses a big shot.With the trade market at a standstill, Treliving said the Flames were happy to have addressed a need without having to outbid another interested party with still more than a week before the deadline."Hopefully he can come in here and play well for us."Stone will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Arizona agreed to shoulder half of his $4-million salary to facilitate the move.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

BROSSARD, Quebec - The Montreal Canadiens skated hard, battled and worked, and that's just how new coach Claude Julien wants the practices to be.Julien finally got to put the Canadiens through a full workout with no distractions on Monday. It was aimed mostly at convincing his struggling team that tighter defense will lead to more scoring chances on attack.''He wanted it to be 40 minutes of high pace, high intensity, so when it comes to game time it's second nature,'' said defenseman Jeff Petry.Julien, who replaced Michel Therrien last week, will be seeking his first victory since returning to Montreal when the Canadiens face the Rangers in New York on Tuesday night.His debut saw the club fall 3-1 at home to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.He had only one practice with the team before his first game and it was something of a circus, with fans jammed into the viewing areas at the team's suburban training center and two all-sports TV stations covering the event live.Another practice Sunday at the Bell Centre was a promotional event in front of 10,000 shrieking kids.It added to the challenge for Julien to put into effect the changes he hopes will snap the Canadiens out of a 1-6-1 slump in which they have scored only 10 goals, four of them by captain Max Pacioretty and another two from his linemate Alexander Radulov.Julien wants his team to spend less time in its own zone and more time harrying opposition goaltenders. That starts with getting the puck more quickly on defense and holding onto it longer in the opponent's end.''What we want to try to do, and what we did today, is to try to be better defensively for goals against and chances against,'' he said. ''But more than that, if we're better defensively we can (get) the puck quickly.''I want us to play with the puck, not without it. I'm looking for puck possession time. It's not necessarily about analytics, it's that if we have the puck more, our chances are much better of winning.''It's a formula that worked for most of the 10 seasons Julien spent with the Boston Bruins before he was replaced by Bruce Cassidy two weeks ago.Boston won a Stanley Cup and reached another final during his time there, although they fell short of the playoffs the past two seasons.The Canadiens started the season 13-1-1 and maintained a decent record despite a run of injuries through December and January, but they've hit a wall of late.That prompted general manager Marc Bergevin to fire fifth-year coach Therrien and bring in Julien, whose first NHL coaching job was with the Canadiens from 2003 to 2006.There is much that needs fixing. The Canadiens have got no goals and not even many scoring chances or sustained offensive zone pressure from their second, third or fourth lines in the past eight games.They've also been lax defensively and at times had spotty goaltending, although Carey Price was sharp against the Jets.''We've got enough skill here, (the offense) will come back,'' said Julien. ''I'm not worried about it.''We have enough players on this team that can score goals, but we've got to start in the right place and that's when we get the puck back quickly. It remains to be seen, but that's my belief.''What he hasn't had enough time for yet is to work on line combinations.Mostly, he has used the units Therrien had in place. He moved Alex Galchenyuk to center on the first line to start against Winnipeg, but had Phillip Danault back in that spot by the third period.Now Galchenyuk is back to the second line with Brendan Gallagher and Paul Byron.''I know he's a very talented player; my job is to make him better,'' Julien said of Galchenyuk. ''Now I want to work with him on the little aspects of the game that will make him even better.''The slump has narrowed the Canadiens' lead in the Atlantic Division to only two points ahead of Ottawa, which has two games in hand.''It's what happens when you don't win games,'' said Gallagher. ''Everyone else in the league seems to be winning except for us and they're gaining ground.''If we get back to playing winning hockey, playing our style and doing all the little things Claude and his staff are trying to get across, then we'll be where we want to be.''Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nikita Zadorov's breakthrough season is done.The Colorado Avalanche third-year defenseman fractured his ankle after falling during a 1-on-1 drill with Mikko Rantanen at practice Monday, and will miss the remainder of this season, the team announced.Zadorov's injury happened in the first practice back for fellow defenseman Erik Johnson, who hasn't played since early December with a broken leg.A key piece in the return for Ryan O'Reilly, Zadorov - a restricted free agent at the end of the season - has been a bright spot in an otherwise lost season for the Avs. He's seen a significant uptick in minutes over the last several weeks, and added an imposing physical aspect to his game.With Johnson and Francois Beauchemin holding immunity thanks to their no-trade protection, the Avalanche must choose to protect four defenders to preserve two foundational pieces in the emergent Zadorov and veteran Tyson Barrie in the expansion draft.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brooks Laich wants back in the NHL, whether it's with the Toronto Maple Leafs or elsewhere.The veteran forward, left to ride buses with the Toronto Marlies while the Maple Leafs carry a heavy complement of rookie forwards, indicated Sunday that he would like to be dealt before the March 1 trade deadline if Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock don't intend to call him up."My focus is still in this organization and playing for the Maple Leafs," Laich told Joshua Kloke of The Athletic. "The decision is up to them, but if they don't see me in their plans going forward towards the playoffs then I would like the opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup with another organization."Laich was dealt to the Maple Leafs before the deadline last season in the trade that brought Connor Carrick to Toronto. He appeared in 21 games, transitioning from the President's Trophy-winning Washington Capitals to a team that earned the most tickets at the draft lottery with its last-place finish.Exceeded by top pick Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and the former Marlies that brought so much success to the minor-league outfit last season, Laich has not been with the Maple Leafs since training camp.He's been limited to 22 games after missing two months with an undisclosed injury.Laich is in the final season of a contract that pays him $4.5 million annually.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba has been suspended two games for his headshot Sunday on Ottawa Senators winger Mark Stone, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Monday.The NHL explained that Trouba targeted the head in a situation in which such contact was avoidable, deeming the "high, forceful blow" a clear illegal check to the head.Trouba was given a two-minute minor on the play.Trouba's lack of disciplinary history influenced the decision, as did the apparent avoidance of a significant injury on the play. The Senators have not offered an official update on Stone since his exit.Trouba will miss Tuesday's against the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the first game back from the club's bye week the following Tuesday versus the Minnesota Wild.The Senators lost forwards Bobby Ryan, Mike Hoffman, and Tommy Wingels to injuries over the weekend.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators announced a one-year, one-way contract extension for defenseman Fredrik Claesson on Monday.The 24-year-old will earn $650,000 next season.Claesson has five assists in 19 games this season for Guy Boucher's squad. He was drafted in the fifth round, 126th overall, in 2011, and has seven career assists in 35 NHL games.The Stockholm, Sweden native spent the majority of four seasons in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators, accumulating 13 goals and 57 assists in 285 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames acquired defenseman Michael Stone from the Arizona Coyotes for a pair of draft picks Sunday, the teams announced.Arizona will receive a third-round selection for this summer's draft, as well as a conditional fifth-round pick in 2018. The latter selection hinges on whether Stone, a pending unrestricted free agent, signs a contract with the Flames.Arizona will retain 50 percent of Stone's $4-million salary as part of the deal, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports. He'll cost the Flames $544,444 against the cap for the rest of the season, according to CapFriendly.Stone will not affect the Flames' expansion strategy unless extended before the draft.The 26-year-old is stuck on a goal and nine points, and has had his possession numbers plunge in a diminished role this season. This comes after posting a career-best 36 points, and helping drive play, before suffering a significant knee injury late last season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.