Another trade deadline has come and passed.The 2016 edition felt rather dry and uneventful, especially up until 2 p.m. ET. Nevertheless, many teams hoping to get a final piece to push them into the Cup conversation were active.Related: Blue Jackets GM: 'Quietest trade deadline I've ever seen'While there wasn't much in terms of high-calibre talent exchanged Monday, the transactions that did (and didn't) happen leave us with a clearer picture of the realities teams are facing.Here are three things we learned from the trade deadline:1st round draft picks are very valuableWhile sellers such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, and Arizona Coyotes were active leading up to the 3 p.m. deadline, none were able to capture the grand prize: a first-round pick.In all the deals Monday and the days leading up, only the Andrew Ladd trade between the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks saw a team willing to part with a first-round pick.With growing proof that these picks - no matter where in the top 30 they slot - can bring in a potential game-changing player, teams are becoming much more reluctant to give them up.Meanwhile, as many as six second-round picks were included in deals between Feb. 25-29.General managers are getting ahead of the curbWhile several trades were made in the final minutes before the deadline, there wasn't even one major blockbuster completed Monday.The biggest names moved were arguably Mikkel Boedker and Kris Russell, which suggests that teams interested in marquee players did their due diligence in advance of Monday.The final week saw the likes of Ladd, Eric Staal, and Justin Schultz moved, while Dion Phaneuf was shipped out of town earlier in the month. In addition to Schultz, Teddy Purcell, Jakub Kindl, and Jiri Hudler were all sent packing Saturday.General managers are no longer waiting until the last minute to make a deal. Teams are combing the market earlier and pouncing when they get the chance. Expect this to be the new norm.The Avalanche want it nowThe Blackhawks and Panthers made it crystal clear heading into Monday they mean business this season.After the dust settled Monday, though, it appeared the big winner of the day was the Colorado Avalanche.Related: Deadline day winners and losersThe Avalanche are currently holding down the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with just a two-point cushion between them and the Minnesota Wild.Colorado added Boedker and underutilized defenseman Eric Gelinas. In exchange the team sacrificed ageing forward Alex Tanguay, 2014 first- and third-round picks Conner Bleackley and Kyle Wood, and a third-round draft pick.Related: Avalanche all in on playoffs after adding experience to young coreSince the Avalanche gave up two prospects for Boedker, who'll likely serve as a rental player, it appears they have one thing on their mind: this year's Cup.Boedker gives the team a lot of skill - though the analytics community will argue Tanguay holds more value - and makes the potential line of him, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nathan MacKinnon perhaps the fastest in the league.It had been hard to get a read on the Avalanche, who've played jump rope with a playoff position. Whether or not the deals pan out, it's clear Joe Sakic and Co. are aiming for a deep playoff run.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrej Nestrasil will miss his team's final 18 games of the regular season, general manager Ron Francis announced Tuesday.Nestrasil suffered a fractured vertebra in last Thursday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, after taking a devastating hit from forward Nazem Kadri.The 25-year-old exits with nine goals and 23 points while playing in a career-high 55 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thousands of conversations for 19 deals.In the new asset-management NHL, it's harder now than it's ever been to draw up and execute a plan at the trade deadline. And though we're seeing more imagination in the workings of the league's 30 GMs, who continue to evolve in concert with the game, that conservative "Ah, let's get 'em on the draft floor" mentality still tends to win out when the stakes are so high.That said, in every season there are a handful of specific team situations and corresponding contracts that require in-season activity. Inaction in these instances can result in grave consequences. Yet, even with that inherent knowledge, teams still make the same mistakes and mismanage the same resources.Here are three things that definitely should've happened on trade deadline day:The Canucks should've done something, anythingWe're sort of belaboring the topic at this point, but in speaking of squandered assets, the conversation begins with Jim Benning and the Vancouver Canucks.Stuck in the Western Conference wasteland, there might not be a single team in a less-enviable position. But for Vancouver, and on Monday, that wasn't the case.The Canucks had two very attractive rental commodities in a legitimate top-four defenseman Dan Hamhuis, and a two-time 30-goal scorer in Radim Vrbata. With their blessings, each could've been moved for a pick, prospect, or package to help the team gain some traction. Yet, inexplicably, the only thing Benning did on Monday was lose Adam Cracknell to waivers.There's absolutely no excuse for not dealing these players, even considering their respective no-trade functions and affinity for Vancouver. This mismanagement represents gross oversight, and borderline negligence.Kings had to match witsThis segues nicely, as we might have been able to gloss over the Canucks had Hamhuis moved to Los Angeles. But instead of making a major splash, Dean Lombardi decided to finesse around the edges.In all, the Kings acquired Vincent Lecavalier, Luke Schenn, Rob Scuderi, and Kris Versteeg (a quartet with five Stanley Cups between them) over the last several months, and didn't surrender one player on their active roster to do so. Though the value these four players encompass isn't significant - at least on the open market - they're bodies that fit Los Angeles' scheme.But in beating the market and using the wiggle room they had from under the cap by acquiring Lecavalier and Schenn almost two months ago, their closest competitors had the opportunity to evaluate a greater sample, and issue the appropriate response in turn.The Blackhawks, Stars, and Ducks - the three other teams most believe have a chance of coming out of the West - each will have more effectively filled holes on their rosters with their in-season transactions.Must part with ParenteauLou Lamoriello fell one trade short of a masterclass.The 73-year-old Maple Leafs GM, who through decades of experience with the NHL trade market has been the right man to properly execute the strategy of his forward-thinking franchise, failed with one task: fetching a return for the injured P.A. Parenteau.Having out-performed his $1.5-million cap hit, Parenteau was considered one of, if not the safest bet to be traded out of Toronto before the deadline. No player under Mike Babcock did more for his value.But in the end, a troublesome neck injury likely gave interested parties pause. At the very least, though, the club should have pocketed whatever lottery ticket was on the table (perhaps a trade akin to Brandon Pirri's return) and then revisited the partnership this summer with Parenteau, who had already expressed his desire to return.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello scored the game's first goal in Monday's 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, but provided a huge pre-game assist to a fan in need of a prom date.After seeing a pair of high-schoolers holding the sign below during pre-game warmups, Zuccarello handed an extra stick to a security guard to give to the young couple. He autographed both the sign and the stick following the win.

Tyler Johnson recorded his first multi-goal game of the season and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 31 saves as the Tampa Bay Lightning held off a young Toronto Maple Leafs lineup for a 2-1 victory Monday, extending their winning streak to seven games.The big performance from Johnson comes just one day after he was forced from a game against the Boston Bruins due to a puck to the head from an Adam McQuaid clearing attempt. The 28-year-old has three goals and two assists in his last six games.The other story from the game came from a quartet of Maple Leaf rookies making their NHL debuts in William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Zach Hyman, and Nikita Soshnikov. All four impressed, but were ultimately kept off the scoresheet.PlayerTOISOGHitsNylander18:4120Kapanen16:4832Hyman15:5821Soshnikov14:1231After Nazem Kadri scored with under three minutes left to make it a one-goal game, head coach Mike Babcock turned to Nylander, Kapanen, and Hyman for the game's final shift and the Maple Leafs kept considerable pressure before defenseman Jake Gardiner failed to keep the puck inside the blue line."I thought they were good," said Babcock of the debuting Leafs, per James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail. "I was impressed with them."Though the result didn't go the way they'd hoped, it was clearly a dream come true for all four players to hit the ice at the NHL level."When you're standing in front of (Steven) Stamkos, you're like 'this is the NHL,'" Nylander told reporters, but admitted: "I just wanted to score, that's the only thing, and win the game. Otherwise it was lots of fun."

Jonathan Drouin has a standing offer to return to the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, but that reportedly isn't going to happen.“That ship has sailed," a source close to the situation told TSN's Frank Seravalli, mere hours after Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said "the door is open" for Drouin to return, but that the onus is on the player.Servalli's source stressed Drouin's return is not a possibility, and Yzerman's offer is reportedly believed to only include the Syracuse Crunch, the club's AHL affiliate.Even if the the offer included a chance to return to the Lightning before the playoffs, Servalli reports Drouin isn't believed to be interested.The 20-year-old forward was suspended indefinitely without pay by the Lightning for failing to report to a game with the Crunch last month.Yzerman elected not to trade Drouin, despite garnering plenty of interest from around the league, saying it "made no sense" to deal him for a rental player that he couldn't or wouldn't want to re-sign.Drouin has been skating in the Montreal area with his former midget team while awaiting a deal. He could still be traded before the end of the season, but any team acquiring him wouldn't be able to use him in the playoffs.The 2013 third overall pick could also be dealt at the draft, which takes place in Buffalo on June 24 and 25.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite speculation forward Scott Hartnell and defenseman Fedor Tyutin could be on the move, the Columbus Blue Jackets stood pat at Monday's trade deadline, and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen confessed he never came close to making a deal."Quietest trade deadline day I've ever seen," Kekalainen said, per Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. "Nothing else is close."He admitted that though the team had two phone lines for incoming calls, his line alone was "plenty enough today."Kekalainen, Blue Jackets GM since 2013, made a pair of deals at last year's deadline, moving defensemen Jordan Leopold and James Wisniewski to Minnesota and Anaheim respectively while adding young players and draft picks.Since then, he's made a pair of notable moves, acquiring Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks during the offseason and bringing in Seth Jones from a deal that sent No. 1 center Ryan Johansen to Nashville.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three hours after the trade deadline came and went, there was still one more deal on the docket.The Calgary Flames traded forward David Jones to the Minnesota Wild for goaltender Niklas Backstrom and a sixth-round pick Monday.Jones notched nine goals and six assists in 59 games for the Flames, and played his final game with Calgary on the top line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan."As much as I love Calgary and my teammates, I think this situation for me is great," Jones said of joining the Wild, who are currently two points out of a playoff spot and 10 points ahead of the Flames, who have two games in hand on Minnesota.Backstrom hasn't played an NHL game this season. The 38-year-old former Wild starter leaves Minnesota as the franchise leader in games played by a goaltender (409), wins (194), and shutouts (28).

Carey Price skated in full gear Monday, and later in the day, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin provided more positive news regarding their star goaltender.Related: Carey Price skates in full equipment"There never has been surgery and there never will be," Bergevin said of Price's lower-body injury, per TSN's John Lu. The 28-year-old hasn't played since Nov. 25, and though many believe he could be shut down for the year, Bergevin implied he's closer to full health."I'm convinced if he played a position other than goalie he'd be playing hockey right now," he added, according to NHL.com's Arpon Basu.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The biggest events bring out the best in Brad Treliving.Eight months after plucking Dougie Hamilton off the draft floor, the Calgary Flames' second-year general manager executed another plan on another salient event on the NHL calendar, engineering a series of shrewd deals in the lead-up to the trade deadline.In all, Treliving turned a depth forward approaching his ceiling and three players on expiring contracts that, for all intents and purposes, could re-up with the club this summer, to acquire six functional assets (and a sixth-round lottery ticket) to fuel the team's continuing reconfiguration.Here's his handiwork in full:OUT: D Kris Russell, F Jiri Hudler, F Markus Granlund, F David JonesIN: F Hunter Shinkaruk, D Jyrki Jokipakka, F Brett Pollock, two second-round picks (one of which could become a first), fourth-round pick, sixth-round pickPerhaps his best move came at the expense of the organization which might, nay, is, feeling the most wrath from its fan base. Treliving revisited (and feasted) on a previously useful, and perhaps unusual, trade partner in Jim Benning's Vancouver Canucks with last week's acquisition of Shinkaruk for Granlund.A former first-round selection, Calgary native, and one of the top AHL goal-scorers, Shinkaruk possesses much more upside than Granlund - a player who failed to carve out a role in 86 games.With that swindling, Treliving then turned his attention to expiring contracts on his payroll.First, two days before the deadline, Calgary received value on Hudler, acquiring second- and fourth-round draft picks from the Florida Panthers. Hudler contributed massive numbers previously, but needed 53 games this season (largely spent alongside Calgary's best two offensive players) to reach the 10-goal plateau.For comparison sake, Hudler is averaging just 0.31 points per 60 minutes more than Kris Versteeg, who the Los Angeles Kings acquired for a fifth-round pick and a low-grade prospect.Lastly, Treliving manufactured the trade deadline's greatest rental bounty. Russell, the mid-to-bottom pairing blue-liner who hangs his hat on shot blocks and other intangibles, brought back a young, controllable, NHL-ready puck mover to fill out the team's current group in Jokipakka, a former second-round pick and point-per-game WHL scorer in Pollock, and conditional second-round selection.The pick, currently the Flames' third in the second round this summer, will be upgraded to a first-round pick should the Dallas Stars - currently third in the overall standings - win two series this spring.Oh, and then long after the deadline has passed, it was announced Treliving dumped a third expiring contract in David Jones onto the Minnesota Wild for a sixth-round pick (and the right to house goalie Niklas Backstrom).***Stan Bowman's masterful roster augmentation in Chicago was objectively unmatched. But for Treliving and the Flames, who unlike the Blackhawks must balance improving the existing makeup with devotion to the process, might be right there behind the defending champions.Until draft day, Brad.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's trade deadline has come and gone, leaving a minimal ripple in its wake. In the end, only 15 deals were made, with few winners and losers to consider, in no particular order.WinnersColorado AvalancheUp front, the Avalanche added Mikkel Boedker by way of Arizona, who's believed to be set to skate on a line with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon, forming a speedy trio that will be difficult to contain.And on defense, Eric Gelinas was acquired from New Jersey. The 2009 second-round pick's ice time had fallen under first-year head coach John Hynes, but he showed great promise for the Devils in his rookie season, and defense is a clear area of weakness in Denver.Patrick Roy's squad holds a two-point advantage over Minnesota in the race for the second wild-card spot, and general manager Joe Sakic did well to help ensure that bubble won't burst.Calgary FlamesThe Flames entered the day as sellers, and GM Brad Treliving was able to secure quite the haul from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman Kris Russell.Calgary received defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka, forward prospect Brett Pollock, and a conditional second-round draft selection for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent.Jokipakka is a solid defender with limited NHL experience, while Pollock is a WHL prospect with decent offensive upside.The draft pick condition is key, however, because if the Stars qualify for the conference finals with Russell appearing in half their playoff games, Calgary will get a first-round pick come June. Otherwise, it remains a second-round selection, which would have been a nice return on its own.Anaheim DucksThe Ducks fell flat out of the gate this season and have been playing catch up ever since. The offense, in particular, has sputtered, averaging 2.48 goals per game, ranked 22nd in the NHL.In adding Brandon Pirri and Jamie McGinn, Anaheim was able to shore up its forward depth with players who fit the team's current style of play and who can put the puck in the net with semi-regularity.The fact that they were able to land Pirri - who scored 22 goals in 49 games last season - for the mere pittance of a sixth-round pick is cause for celebration all on its own. The third-round pick for McGinn would also be well worth it if they can manage to come out of the West.LosersVancouver CanucksThe Canucks fall firmly in the losers camp for what they weren't able to do.GM Jim Benning was sitting on two seemingly attractive trade chips in impending UFA's Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis.The latter was certainly believed to be commanding attention from several suitors, including Chicago, Dallas, Boston, Pittsburgh, and even Washington. While it is believed he was willing to waive his no-trade clause for at least a couple of those options, the return didn't appear to meet Benning's liking.

After Sunday's trade that brought Daniel Winnik to the Washington Capitals from the Toronto Maple Leafs also spelled the end of Brooks Laich's 12-year run in Washington, general manager Brian MacLellan admitted that the veteran forward tried to talk him out of making the trade."He expressed that he really wanted to be a part of it and win a Stanley Cup here," MacLellan said, according to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. He also added that trading the winger was the hardest thing he's ever done as a general manager.While both MacLellan and the Capitals players were certainly sorry to see him go, Laich's contract - which holds a $4.5-million cap hit this year and next - was limiting the team's ability to add more pieces at the trade deadline, and could have also hindered potential plans to lock up restricted free agents Marcus Johansson and Dmitry Orlov in the offseason.The 32-year-old Laich has struggled this season, tallying just a goal and six assists in 60 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers' dwindling playoff hopes have taken another hit.Forward Jakub Voracek will miss approximately two weeks with a lower-body injury, general manager Ron Hextall announced Monday.Voracek, who has already missed one game thanks to the injury, has recorded 10 goals and 38 assists in 60 games this season. The Flyers have six games on the schedule over the next 14 days.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello met with the media after not making a deal on deadline day, and shared news about forward Leo Komarov and defenseman Jared Cowen.Lamoriello said the Maple Leafs never considered trading Komarov, who was an All-Star this season."He's a core member of our group," the GM said.It was speculated that Toronto would try to sell high on Komarov, who has 18 goals and 17 assists, and is signed through 2017-18 at $2.95 million. Komarov remains a Maple Leaf, though.So does Jared Cowen, but only in name. The defenseman, who was acquired in the Dion Phaneuf trade, will be shut down and have his contract bought out this summer, Lamoriello said.

The Anaheim Ducks traded forward Patrick Maroon to the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth-round draft pick and defenseman Martin Gernat, the clubs announced.Maroon, 28 on April 23, has four goals and nine assists in 56 games. He's a big man at 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, and the Oilers were open about wanting to add size. Maroon set a career high in points last season, with 34 (nine goals) in 71 games.

The Jonathan Drouin saga didn't end before the trade deadline, and Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman now says Drouin can return to the NHL club if he wants.Related: Lightning hold on to Drouin at deadline"Jonathan is suspended. If he wants to come back, the door is open," Yzerman told reporters after the 3 p.m. ET deadline passed Monday, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith. "That's up to him."The Lightning had plenty of offers for the 20-year-old forward, but Yzerman said he was better off keeping his options open for the summer, and didn't want to lose him for a rental player."I wasn't going to trade (him) for (an unrestricted free agent) that I couldn't or wouldn't want to re-sign," Yzerman said. "That made no sense."

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Boone Jenner to a two-year contract extension Monday, the club announced.The deal has an average annual value of $2.9 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, and Jenner will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2018.Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said the following in a statement:

Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata are remaining with the Vancouver Canucks, as the team made no trades before Monday's deadline.

The Anaheim Ducks have acquired forward Jamie McGinn from the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional third-round draft pick, the clubs announced.

The Toronto Maple Leafs moved out a lot of bodies before the deadline, but not the one most expected.P.A. Parenteau will remain with the Maple Leafs for the remainder of this season after general manager Lou Lamoriello failed to broker a deal on trade deadline day, according to multiple reports.

The Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils pulled off a last-minute deal ahead of the trade deadline Monday.The Canadiens sent forward Devante Smith-Pelly to the Devils in exchange for forward Stefan Matteau.Matteau, a former first-round pick, has struggled in his brief NHL career, recording just three goals and two assists in 44 games.The 23-year-old Smith-Pelly recorded six goals and six assists in 46 games in Montreal this season.

Lee Stempniak's been traded at the deadline. Again.It's the third straight season he's on the move at this point in the year, as the New Jersey Devils dealt the forward to the Boston Bruins on Monday, the clubs announced. The return is a second-round draft pick in 2017 and a fourth-round pick in 2016.Stempniak is in the midst of an excellent season, with 16 goals and 25 assists in 63 games. He was the Devils' leading scorer.

The New York Islanders have reportedly acquired Shane Prince from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a third-round draft selection, Arthur Staple of Newsday was first to report.Ottawa will send a seventh-round selection to Brooklyn to complete the deal.Prince, a restricted free agent at the end of this season, has contributed three goals and 12 assists in 42 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning stood pat Monday and did not move Jonathan Drouin ahead of the trade deadline, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.Although Drouin was not involved in a transaction by the deadline, he is still eligible to be traded before the end of the regular season.

Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson, arguably the deadline's biggest trade chip, was not traded Monday, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.Eriksson entered the day as the most-desirable forward asset. The 30-year-old is having a stellar season, sitting tied for second on the team in both goals (23) and points (48).Keeping Eriksson is not a surprising decision by the club, as general manager Don Sweeney told reporters Sunday that he had no issue with keeping Eriksson past the deadline.Heading into Monday, the asking price for Eriksson was believed to be a top player and a prospect.Eriksson will now play a vital role in the club's playoff push. Dallas sits third in the Atlantic Division with 74 points, one win behind the Tampa Bay Lightning.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have taken a step toward shoring up their blue line, acquiring defenseman John-Michael Liles from the Carolina Hurricanes, according to multiple reports.

The Colorado Avalanche were one of the most active teams Monday, making it perfectly clear they're making a push for the playoffs this season.The Avalanche surprised many when they emerged out of nowhere to acquire forward Mikkel Boedker from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Alex Tanguay and prospects Conner Bleackley and Kyle Wood.Related: Coyotes trade Boedker to Avalanche for Tanguay, 2 prospectsMoments later, they filled an important need on the blue line by landing defenseman Eric Gelinas from the New Jersey Devils for a third-round pick.

The Anaheim Ducks have added some firepower by acquiring Brandon Pirri from the Florida Panthers for a sixth-round pick in 2016, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.Pirri, 24, is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end, while carrying a salary cap hit of $975,000 this season.In 52 games with the Panthers this season, Pirri scored 11 goals on 111 shots. Last season, however, he posted one of the NHL's most unique stat lines, recording 22 goals and two assists in 49 games.For the Ducks, he brings a potential boost to an offense that struggled mightily early on this season.Pirri was originally a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2009, and has scored 46 goals in 157 career games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - There was always a plan.Having spent part of last and all of this season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander was always direct about where he'd rather be."I want to play in the NHL this season," the 19-year-old said.The Maple Leafs enforced patience on their Swedish prospect. On Monday, however, Nylander finally got the call from Maple Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, informing him of the news he'd long been waiting to hear - he's a Maple Leaf."It's going to be a tough game, I've never played at this level before," Nylander said ahead of his NHL debut. "It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds."It's time, apparentlySelected eighth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Nylander began his first year in the Toronto organization playing in the Swedish Hockey League. He would join the Marlies midway through the year, scoring 14 goals and 32 points in 37 games.This season, Nylander's been even better, producing at a torrid pace. He has 18 goals and 45 points in 37 games.Helping ease Nylander's transition to the show are the plethora of Marlies teammates who were called up along with him - forwards Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov, and Zach Hyman. All four will suit up in their first NHL games Monday.A lot in commonNylander and Kapanen, in particular, have formed quite the bond over the years. Both will become second-generation NHLers at the same time. Their fathers, Michael Nylander and Sami Kapanen, played 1,751 games combined in the NHL. When William and Kasperi learned they were being called up, both were sure to keep it to themselves."I actually didn't have any idea Willy was going to be here," Kapanen said. "We didn't want to text each other in case the other didn't get the text. We were kind of quiet but I saw him in the locker room when I got here and we started laughing."Both players spent time at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship, but with different fates. Nylander suffered a concussion early in the tournament and was shut down. Kapanen scored the golden goal for Team Finland on home soil.Kapanen has eight goals and 22 points in 32 games in the AHL.Easing the painAll four call-ups will be sent down for a couple of minutes Monday afternoon as part of a paper transaction, before being called up minutes later. The process is done to ensure all four are eligible to play for the Marlies when the AHL playoffs begin."We've been talking with them and what we did is try to put these players in the best position to have success," head coach Mike Babcock said. "We've tried to build structure in exhibition."With many eyes on Nylander, the Maple Leafs have crowded the playing field by calling up myriad prospects.There will be a lot of nerves for the kids, but there will also be comfort in having several Marlies teammates - who have been dominant in the AHL - on the bench.With 88 points in 56 games, the Marlies are far clear of any other team in the AHL. There is nothing left for Nylander to prove in the minors in the regular season.Maple Leafs management has been weary of calling up players before they are ready, but the top prospects are being rewarded for their play. The Marlies' success and the Maple Leafs' struggles have changed the team's plans.Now, it's up to the young guns to show what they can do.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils have traded defenseman Eric Gelinas to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2017.Gelinas has spent his entire three-year career with the Devils, but has struggled to remain in the lineup this season. The 24-year-old has dressed in just 34 games, tallying one goal and five assists.He was drafted by New Jersey in the second round in 2009.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars have filled out their previously incomplete defensive rotation, acquiring noted shot-blocker Kris Russell from the Calgary Flames, the teams confirmed.Calgary receives 24-year-old defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka, forward prospect Brett Pollock, and a conditional second-round draft selection for the pending unrestricted free agent.Should Dallas make the conference final this spring - and Russell appear in at least 50 percent of the team's games through the first two rounds - the 2016 draft pick will become a first-round selection, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.No salary was retained in the agreement, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.Russell's worth has been a contentious talking point throughout his free-agent season, but he'll be of value to Dallas. Likely destined for a second-pairing role, Russell will slot the back half of the rotation into their correct assignments.Jokipakka is still a project; his experience is limited to 91 games at the NHL level. He's collected 16 points in parts of two seasons, and has been the Stars' worst possession defender over that stretch.He was apparently upset to hear the news.

The Colorado Avalanche have scored one of the NHL trade deadline's big targets, acquiring Mikkel Boedker from the Arizona Coyotes.Arizona's return is a package of forward Alex Tanguay and prospects Conner Bleackley and Kyle Wood, both of whom were drafted by Colorado in 2014. Bleackley had yet to sign an entry-level deal, meaning he could be draft eligible in June if he doesn't agree to terms with the Coyotes.Boedker, 26, is nearing the end of a one-year, $3.75-million contract signed last summer, and was unable to come to terms with the Coyotes on an extension.He recorded 13 goals and 26 assists in 62 games this season.Tanguay, who is also set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, had contributed four goals and 18 assists in 52 games for a Colorado team clinging to the second wild-card spot out West.The cap addition for the Avalanche is minimal over the course of the season's remaining weeks.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks pulled off a very minor deal Monday.The Hurricanes acquired defenseman Dennis Robertson in exchange for Blackhawks goaltender Drew MacIntyre.The 24-year-old Robertson recorded two goals and three assists in 37 games with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs this season. He has never played an NHL game.MacIntyre, who last played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013-14, struggled for the AHL's Charlotte Checkers with a 3.09 GAA and .890 save percentage in 28 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A new contender appears to have emerged in the Dan Hamhuis sweepstakes.ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Washington Capitals have "kicked tires" on Hamhuis, who's considered the No. 1 defenseman available in the rental market.Fuelling speculation, at least on the part of the Canucks, is that Hamhuis will not take part in practice as originally expected, according to reports.The Capitals created a little room under the salary cap late Sunday, dealing veteran Brooks Laich and his $4.5-million annual hit to the Toronto Maple Leafs.Washington has more than $6 million in cap space with top-pairing defenseman John Carlson on long-term injured reserve.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers are loading up on waiver claims.Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has successfully claimed forward Adam Cracknell from the Vancouver Canucks and defenseman Adam Pardy from the Winnipeg Jets.Cracknell, a sandpapered depth winger, has netted 10 points in 44 games, while the veteran Pardy has been limited to 14 starts this season.Both players should receive stopgap minutes with the dismantling Oilers, who have shipped out Teddy Purcell and Justin Schultz, and reportedly lost Benoit Pouliot to a separated shoulder.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eric Staal didn't want to look back on his career and wonder.Staal met with the New York media on Monday less than 24 hours after being dealt from the Carolina Hurricanes, and explained that the prospects of winning another Stanley Cup - and this time with his brother, Marc - was too good of an opportunity to pass up."Deep, deep in my gut, this was a chance, an opportunity I needed to take," he said, according to Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record. "This is where I wanted to go, where I wanted to be. Being with Marc (Staal) is an (added) benefit."The deal casts the unrestricted free agent's future further in doubt. But while he believes he has a lot of hockey left, Staal's unwilling to look beyond the next few months."I believe this a group that can compete against anybody when the playoffs start," he said.Another uncertainty, and for now one that's more pressing, is where Staal fits in the Rangers' lineup. He told reporters he's more comfortable at center, but with Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard filling out the two top-six roles down the middle, he might have to shift to the wing.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toughness is the name of the game for the Montreal Canadiens.It's for this reason that the team claimed forward Mike Brown off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Monday.While the pickup was not immediately understood by many, including esteemed TSN hockey insider Bob McKenzie, it appears the Canadiens made the move with the intention of providing protection for the club's younger players.

Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg is the NHL's first star for the week ending Feb. 28 - and that should come as no surprise.Forsberg is on fire. He scored two natural hat tricks last week in four games, adding an assist, leading Nashville to four straight wins. After not being able to find the back of the net in the first half of the season, Forsberg's scored 12 goals on 46 shots. He has 26 goals and 20 assists in 63 games.Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan was named second star of the week. He had six points in three games, as Tampa Bay enjoyed an undefeated week, as well.Callahan's had a mostly disappointing season, with 10 goals and 18 assists, but he's been money in February, with five goals and nine assists in 13 games, as the Lightning march toward the playoffs.The third star of the week is Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon, who went 2-0-1 in three games, with a .949 save percentage.Condon was integral in Montreal's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals, and was exceptional Saturday, as the Canadiens continued their dominance of the Toronto Maple Leafs.Filling in for Carey Price, Condon's struggled most of the season, but he has a respectable .913 save percentage in seven February starts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers forward Benoit Pouliot may be out of the lineup for a while.It's believed that Pouliot suffered a separated shoulder during the third period of Sunday's game against the New York Islanders, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.Adding fuel to the report is Pouliot arriving to the rink Monday with his right arm in a sling.Pouliot has recorded 14 goals and 22 assists in 55 games for the Oilers this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eric Staal hit the ice Monday morning as a member of the New York Rangers after Sunday's big trade.Following practice, head coach Alain Vigneault met with the media and said he expects the longtime Carolina Hurricanes captain to play center in New York."I do envision Eric playing in the middle," he said. "With Eric, you're talking about an elite player, been captain of his team, and will bring his leadership to the room."There's no doubt our players are excited about Eric."The Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night, so Staal will make his debut. But with Jesper Fast ill and out of the lineup, Staal will likely start on the wing.There are questions, if Staal eventually moves to center, because the Rangers already employ Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard.

Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo will have a hearing for the illegal check to the head he delivered on Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette this past weekend, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.Rinaldo didn't leave his feet, or take a violent run, but certainly made contact with the chin of Paquette first as he attempted to separate the player from the puck in the defensive zone.Rinaldo has been suspended on multiple occasions by the NHL, which will factor into the bureau's decision. He will, however, apparently avoid a ban in excess of five games, as Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe reports that it will be a phone hearing.Rinaldo was placed on waivers Sunday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been a difficult season for the Montreal Canadiens, but they received some very good news Monday morning.Carey Price, who has been limited to only 12 games this season, was back on the ice in full gear as he continues to make strides in his recovery from a long-term lower-body injury.

The Boston Bruins may be willing to part with top prospect Alex Khokhlachev.Khokhlachev's agent has indicated that his client could be traded prior to Monday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express.Selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, Khokhlachev has yet to be given an extended look with the Bruins, recording zero points in nine games. He's excelled at the AHL level this season, however, with 15 goals and 32 assists through 42 games.Before the season, Khokhlachev expressed a measure of frustration about not getting a chance to assert himself at the NHL level.The Bruins are believed to be in the market for a defenseman and have a decision to make regarding Loui Eriksson. Khokhlachev would be an enticing piece to deal in order to fill a need on the blue line.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.