The Edmonton Oilers have been without defenseman Oscar Klefbom for over two months due to multiple ailments. The team's leader in ice time broke his finger in December before his health took an unexpected turn, general manager Peter Chiarelli told TSN 1260's Jason Gregor on Tuesday."He had a staph infection in his ankle, then it got infected again," Chiarelli said. "He had surgery to remove some of the infection."Klefbom is back skating, and is expected to return to the Oilers lineup in March, according to Gregor.The 22-year-old has four goals and eight assists in 30 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A four-game winless drought has seen the Detroit Red Wings fall into a wild-card position in the Eastern Conference, so head coach Jeff Blashill is shuffling his top six forwards in an attempt to spur the offense.Gustav Nyquist will move to the top line alongside veterans Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, who have combined for 18 points in the Wings' last 10 games. Justin Abdelkader will join Dylan Larkin and Tomas Tatar on the second line."So we want to see if there's other combinations where we can keep Pavel and Z at the level they're playing but get a little more from other people," Blashill said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "We're trying to get that little two percent better."Blashill is hopeful the new lines will help Nyquist - goalless in 10 games - and Tatar - pointless in seven - break out of their respective slumps.The Red Wings have just six goals in their past four games - the same amount they scored in their most recent victory, a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils are fighting for their playoff lives, but that doesn't mean they'll hesitate to trade a couple of expiring contracts - at the right price.General manager Ray Shero is "willing to move pending unrestricted free agents Lee Stempniak and David Schlemko if the offers are good enough," reports ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.Stempniak's been a revelation up front for New Jersey, with 15 goals and 25 assists in 60 games. The 33-year-old leads the Devils in scoring and is earning a paltry $850,000 on a one-year contract. And he's used to being on the move as New Jersey is his eighth team.Schlemko, a defenseman, has six goals and 11 assists in 52 games, helping New Jersey to the NHL's lowest goals-against average. He's on a cheaper contract than Stempniak, earning only $625,000. He'll be 29 in May."I don't think the Devils want to move them for the sake of moving them," LeBrun writes, adding that Shero is still in asset-collecting mode, so he has to listen to anyone who calls.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With defenseman Dan Hamhuis widely expected to be dealt by the Vancouver Canucks before the trade deadline, it appears the team has yet to have any serious discussions on a deal.Hamhuis said Tuesday the team hasn't asked him or his agent about waiving his no-trade clause, reports Jay Janower of Global BC. Regardless, the 33-year-old admits he and his family are discussing their options as they anticipate a potential move.The pending free agent is making $4.5 million this season, his sixth with Canucks after six seasons with the Nashville Predators.Hamhuis has five assists in 35 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Loui Eriksson's future may be in Boston, after all.The pending unrestricted free agent's camp is still in talks with the Bruins, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.Related: 3 teams that can use Eriksson"There continues to be dialogue, which is the good news," LeBrun writes.Eriksson is in the final season of a contract paying him $4.5 million, with a cap hit of $4.25 million. He's arguably the best player available on the rental market, with 23 goals and 25 assists in 60 games. He's lighting it up in February, with eight goals and one assist in 11 games this month.The Bruins are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, so trading Eriksson by the Feb. 29 deadline is a tricky proposition. The sticking point right now between the two sides is term, in LeBrun's opinion.Eriksson will turn 31 in July. His 48 points this season are better than the 47 (22 goals, 25 assists) he had in 81 games last season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker is one of the most intriguing players ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline.

Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata will be out "for a bit" with a lower-body injury, head coach Willie Desjardins said Tuesday, adding he'll likely miss a week.Vrbata was hurt Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche. He scored his 12th goal of the season in a 5-1 Vancouver win.On an expiring contract, earning $5 million, Vrbata's a potential trade piece for the Canucks, as the club faces an uphill climb in order to make the playoffs. Nine of his 24 points have come on the power play, and while this season's been a disappointment, the 34-year-old winger scored 31 goals in 2014-15.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello has been busy executing a long-standing plan to ship out veteran pieces for future considerations.Captain Dion Phaneuf was traded two weeks ago to Ottawa for some bad contracts, prospect Tobias Lindberg, and a second-round draft pick. Shawn Matthias departed Sunday, Toronto netting a fourth-round selection. Roman Polak and Nick Spaling were traded Monday for two San Jose second-round picks and Raffi Torres' contract.With the NHL trade deadline days away, the veteran players that are left can’t help but think about their fate.Waiting for the callP.A. Parenteau is the most likely candidate to be traded. He scored his 15th goal last week - nearly doubling his total from last season, after which the Montreal Canadiens bought him out."I've been thinking about it a little bit obviously, I mean, I'd be lying if I said otherwise," Parenteau said. "It's part of the game. I've got a family and two kids and we love it in Toronto. Who knows what will happen? They haven't talked to me or said anything to me about what is going to happen. I'm taking it game by game."Parenteau's preference would be to stay in Toronto. Recruited by head coach Mike Babcock after the two first met at Anaheim Ducks training camp, Parenteau has been buoyed by the confidence his coach has shown in him."When your coach leaves you out there, you want to be a difference-maker and that's what I'm trying to be," Parenteau said. "I've got the confidence of Babs. He wants me out there and it really helps my game. I (feel) as good as I have ever felt in this league."Related: Parenteau would consider re-signing with Maple Leafs even if he's tradedParenteau has a cap hit of $1.5 million and could likely net the Leafs another second-round draft pick, or even a late first-rounder.Drowning in moneyThe Maple Leafs have a very important tool that allows them to be crafty when it comes to collecting assets - money.In 2009, the Maple Leafs made the first-ever trade that involved taking on a contract in order to net a draft pick. Toronto acquired the contracts of goaltender Olaf Kolzig and defenseman Jamie Heward - who were both injured at the time - at the trade deadline in exchange for a fourth-round draft choice from Tampa Bay. The Maple Leafs had the resources to pay out the remainder of Kolzig and Heward's contracts, and they also had the cap space, allowing them to acquire the draft pick.Toronto likely wouldn't have secured two second-round draft picks in Monday's trade with San Jose without taking on Torres' contract. The Maple Leafs, with ample cap space heading into the deadline, could use their seemingly endless resources to take on another bad contract as a means to accumulate more assets.Players like Bryan Bickell come to mind. The forward, who will turn 30 in March, carries a cap hit of $4 million and is currently in the AHL. Chicago could trade him to Toronto - along with a draft pick - in order to alleviate its cap issues and make a big splash come Feb. 29.Deadline veteranBrad Boyes is no stranger to the NHL's trade deadline. From the time he was drafted by the Maple Leafs, he's been moved several times in February and March.After struggling to consistently crack Babcock's lineup, Boyes has become an everyday forward given Toronto's current roster. To his credit, he's quietly riding a season-high five-game point streak, which could increase interest in his services."The other times, it's outside noise," Boyes said about trade speculation. "Now, with the amount of media that is here, you are kind of at the center of it. That part is different. Also the fact that this where I'm from and this is my home."Boyes signed with Toronto after inking a tryout deal before training camp. He won a spot, and is on a movable one-year, $700,000 deal.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chris Neil reportedly wants to retire as a member of the Ottawa Senators, and the team is apparently open to that possibility.The veteran pugilist and the club are negotiating a contract extension, and while nothing is imminent, there is "mutual interest" in Neil finishing his career with the Senators, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.Neil is a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $1.9 million this season.The 36-year-old forward has spent his entire 14-year career with Ottawa, racking up 2,416 penalty minutes and 243 points in 953 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stan Bowman's got tickets.The Chicago Blackhawks general manager will be in attendance at MTS Centre in Winnipeg on Tuesday night when the Jets host the Dallas Stars, according to TSN's Sara Orlesky.Bowman was in Montreal on Monday to watch the Canadiens lose to the Nashville Predators, as he scouts players personally ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline.The most obvious speculation: Bowman's in town to watch Andrew Ladd. The Winnipeg captain said Tuesday he's yet to receive a contract offer, and with less than a week to go before the deadline, one's likely not coming. That means Tuesday's game could be Ladd's farewell in Winnipeg.The Blackhawks are reportedly looking for a top-line left winger, and Ladd certainly fits the bill as a rental player. He also has Chicago connections, playing 184 games with the Blackhawks over three seasons, and winning a Stanley Cup with the club in 2010.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals could be looking to add a veteran presence in their quest for a Stanley Cup this season.Head coach Barry Trotz was in Hershey to watch the Bears - Washington's AHL affiliate - over the weekend. He said Scott Gomez is "on the radar" Tuesday, according to NHL.com's Katie Brown.

The Edmonton Oilers are officially open for business.General manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed Tuesday that the Oilers will be sellers before Monday's trade deadline."We haven't been good enough, so there will be changes," Chiarelli told reporters.He added, "We've got some players who have underachieved and may need a new venue."The Oilers have the league's worst record at 22-32-6, and they're tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the NHL's worst point total (50).Connor McDavid has enjoyed a productive rookie campaign, averaging over a point per game, but he missed 37 games earlier in the season with a broken clavicle.Chiarelli said injuries to McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Oscar Klefbom, and Andrew Ference have hurt his ability to assess the team, adding that a deal for one of the Oilers' core players isn't likely to happen soon, but could make sense in the offseason.

St. Louis Blues forward Ryan Reaves will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety after boarding San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Tennyson on Monday, the league announced.

As the Feb. 29 trade deadline draws closer, Andrew Ladd's future has become both clearer and murkier.The Winnipeg Jets captain said Tuesday he has yet to receive a contract extension offer from the club, according to the Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe, and also reiterated his desire to be a Jet for a long time.

The St. Louis Blues just can't seem to shake a season-long injury bug.The Blues placed goaltender Brian Elliott on long-term injured reserve Tuesday due to a lower-body injury. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.Elliott sustained the injury Monday against the San Jose Sharks. He left the game and did not return. The ailment comes just after Jake Allen returned in a backup role following a 17-game absence.The 30-year-old Elliott was sensational in relief of Allen, going 12-3-2. He has a 2.14 GAA and .929 save percentage this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers will pay tribute to the most successful team in franchise history next month.The Panthers will honor members of the 1995-96 squad as part of a 20-year reunion on March 12 when Florida hosts the Philadelphia Flyers at the BB&T Center.John Vanbiesbrouck, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Mellanby, Ray Sheppard, Brian Skrudland, and Bill Lindsay will be among the former players in attendance, along with former head coach Doug MacLean and executives Bryan Murray and Chuck Fletcher.The Panthers advanced to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Wake County (N.C.) District Attorney's Office dismissed assault charges against former NHL defenseman and television analyst Aaron Ward on Friday, according to TSN.Ward was charged with two misdemeanors - assault on a female and interfering with emergency communications - after an alleged domestic incident in October.The DA reviewed the case and determined "that further prosecution is not warranted."

The Calgary Flames should be sellers before the trade deadline, and Jiri Hudler is one of their most intriguing assets.The 32-year-old forward can play both center and right wing, and while his production has dropped off significantly following a career-best 76-point season in 2014-15, he's still a solid playmaker with occasional scoring touch.Hudler is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $4-million cap hit, and while he has only nine goals and 24 assists in 51 games, he's elevating his trade value at the right time with nine points in his last 10 contests.Here are three teams that should pursue Hudler:St. Louis BluesAlex Steen won't be ready to return from his injury for at least a month, and there's no guarantee he won't need more time to recover, making his playoff availability uncertain.Either way, the Blues need to fill the void created by Steen's absence in the short term and cement their forward depth for the postseason even when he returns.St. Louis will have less than $1 million in cap space on deadline day, but if the Blues can find a taker for under-performing veteran forward Troy Brouwer - a pending UFA with a cap hit of $3.66 million - that could facilitate a Hudler deal.The Blues haven't advanced past the second round in nearly 15 years, but a move like this would help that cause.New York RangersThe Rangers could use an injection of offense with Rick Nash on the shelf due to a bone bruise that's escalated from a day-to-day concern to a month-long ailment.Hudler's 2015-16 production has mirrored Nash's output in a number of ways:PlayerGPPointsPPPES Corsi For %Jiri Hudler5133748.4Rick Nash4533649They're not the same player by any means, but Hudler could help kick-start a floundering Rangers power play and give New York an uptick in offensive skill up front. They'll have about $4.85 million in cap flexibility on deadline day, so adding his $4-million hit wouldn't be an issue.Florida PanthersThe Panthers will need help on the left wing if Jonathan Huberdeau is forced to miss significant time, and Hudler can play on that side, too.Even if Huberdeau makes a rapid return from his injury, Florida would benefit from Hudler's versatility, and they'll have plenty of cap space ($27 million) to do it.The question for the Panthers is how much ownership is willing to spend to improve on a core group that's already shown plenty of promise.(Analytics courtesy: War-On-Ice, cap figures courtesy: General Fanager)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings have activated defenseman Niklas Kronwall off injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday. He is expected to be in the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.Kronwall has missed the last 15 games with a knee injury that required surgery.The 35-year-old has three goals and 14 assists in 45 games this season.Jakub Kindl has been assigned to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins to coincide with Kronwall's return. It was announced Monday afternoon that Kindl's been placed on waivers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle has been mired in trade speculation for most of the season, but that might be far from the case heading into the trade deadline on Feb. 29.The Rangers are "no longer signaling Yandle's availability," reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post, citing league sources.Yandle - a pending unrestricted free agent - is in the final year of a five-year, $26.25-million deal, and carries a very team-friendly $2.625-million cap hit this season after the Arizona Coyotes retained half his salary when he was traded to New York last year. He would certainly be a very valuable trade chip on the open market."Multiple sources report keen interest in the 29-year-old, much of it coming from the Western Conference," Brooks writes. "Dallas has been dogging the Rangers for weeks. The Blueshirts perhaps would be able to get the Stars' immensely talented 20-year-old winger Valeri Nichushkin as part of the return package. Such a possibility would surely tempt Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton."The Rangers are 7-1-1 in their last nine games despite an injury to captain Ryan McDonagh. Yandle has averaged 24:03 minutes of ice time per game in McDonagh's absence, and his recent play may be among the prime causes of the team's apparent shift in intentions ahead of the deadline.The 29-year-old admittedly has no problem with remaining in New York."Anyone who knows me, anyone who sees me, they can see how happy I am playing in New York and with this group," Yandle said. "I even got a text from my mom the other day saying that she has never seen me look so happy. That should tell you everything."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With just over a quarter of the 2015-16 NHL season remaining, trade deadline moves and playoff races aren't the only things left to be decided.A number of participants from January's All-Star Game still have plenty to fight for as the NHL Awards races heat up over the next couple months.Here are the favorites for five major awards if the season ended today:Hart Trophy: Patrick Kane, Chicago BlackhawksKane has led the league in scoring by a sizable margin (now 17 points) for some time, and if anyone could afford to see their production dip and still remain an award contender, it would be him.But he isn't slowing down.The 27-year-old passed his previous high of 30 goals on Feb. 4, and needs just four more points to match his career-best 88-point campaign from 2009-10 with 20 games remaining.The Blackhawks still (barely) sit atop the Western Conference standings, but with Kane's continuous production (nine points in his last five games), it would take a monumental collapse from both player and team for him to lose his firm hold on the Hart.Honorable Mentions: Outside the next two award favorites, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have the Stars sitting one point behind the Blackhawks with two games in hand, but it's be difficult to say which forward has been more valuable to the team.Calder Trophy: Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia FlyersThis season has seen one of the most impressive crops of rookie forwards in recent memory, but it's becoming impossible to ignore Flyers' defenseman Gostisbehere - now on a 15-game point streak.The 22-year-old is on pace for 54 points, which would be the highest total for a rookie defensemen since seven-time Norris winner Nicklas Lidstrom recorded 60 in 1992. It's incredible to consider that Gostisbehere was in the AHL for the Flyers' first 16 games.Related: Gostisbehere strengthens Calder case, gives Flyers hope with latest heroicsOn top of the historic scoring pace, his 3-on-3 heroics (four overtime game-winning goals) are keeping the Flyers in the playoff hunt, and making him a serious contender for the Calder.Honorable Mentions: Artemi Panarin, Max Domi, Jack Eichel, and Dylan Larkin are the only rookies with more points than "Ghost" while Connor McDavid has thrilled with 15 points since returning from injury. John Gibson has been great in net for the Ducks, who might be the NHL's hottest team.Vezina Trophy: Braden Holtby, Washington CapitalsWhile his performance has slipped slightly since his outstanding first three months of the season, it appears nothing can slow Holtby's potential record-setting wins pace.MonthGPRecordGAASv%October86-2-01.90.924November119-2-01.99.927December119-0-11.69.947January96-1-22.82.909February98-1-02.60.906The 26-year-old has backstopped the Capitals to the best 58-game record (44-10-4) in NHL history, and needs just 12 wins in the next 24 games to become the first goalie to record 50 wins in a season.Despite having only two shutouts, he's one of just two goalies to be among the top 10 in wins, goals-against average, and save percentage.Honorable Mentions: The other goalie in the top 10 of those three categories - Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils. Corey Crawford, Henrik Lundqvist, and Petr Mrazek could also be considered.Norris Trophy: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa SenatorsWhile his defensive play will always be scrutinized, there's no defenseman close to as impactful on the offensive end than Karlsson.The Swede sits tied for third in NHL scoring with 65 points in 60 games in a league starved for goals. It's startling to see how often Karlsson is involved in his team's goals compared to the best seasons from other legendary blue-liners.Name Year Pts Team GF InvolvementKarlsson2015-166517237.7%Orr1970-7113939934.8%Coffey1985-8613842632.4%Leetch1991-9210232131.8%Bourque1990-919429931.4%The 25-year-old is in a league of his own this season, and if his Senators have another late-season run that ends in a playoff spot - this award is a lock.Honorable Mentions: Drew Doughty's pursuit of his first Norris win will pose the biggest threat for Karlsson's third. Other candidates include John Klingberg, Aaron Ekblad, and P.K. Subban.Jack Adams Trophy: Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim DucksSpeaking of the Ducks, it wasn't all that long ago that Boudreau's firing seemed inevitable, but now his team is a mere two points behind the Pacific Division-leading Kings.The Ducks had a horrendous first month of the season, going 1-7-2, but have turned things around to save their coach. After handing the goaltending reins to Gibson in late November, Boudreau won back the dressing room en route to an NHL-best 8-1-1 record in February.A division title seemed like a fantasy for the Ducks 20 games into the season, but now, with 24 games to go, it could become a reality, and Boudreau deserves credit.Honorable Mentions: Barry Trotz would be a very deserving winner with the league-best Capitals. Panthers coach Gerard Gallant and Stars coach Lindy Ruff are also in the mix.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Superstar treatment in the NHL?Arizona Coyotes second-year starter Louis Domingue accused the officials of such partiality Monday night, more specifically their inability to give him "the whistle" in a loss to Braden Holtby and the NHL-best Washington Capitals."I'm expecting that they treat every guy the same way, and I felt like because I don't have many games in this league I'm being treated differently," he said, according to Sarah McLellan of azcentral sports. "I think that if Holtby would have covered the puck this way, they would have blew the whistle right away."All game it was the same thing. I didn't have the whistle."He added: "It's just unacceptable that they don't treat us the same way."Domingue's beef was engendered in the third, when he stopped a slap shot from Tom Wilson and appeared to cover up the puck. However, it was dug out from under his glove and jammed in by Mike Richards - a goal that proved to be the eventual game-winner.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens announced Monday that defenseman Tom Gilbert will undergo surgery on his left knee and miss the remainder of the season.The 33-year-old left Friday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers after blocking a shot during the second period.Gilbert had one goal, one assist, and a plus-3 rating in 45 games for the Canadiens this season.With Gilbert heading to injured reserve, the team has recalled defenseman Victor Bartley from the AHL's St. John's IceCaps.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Forty-four, the fastest.A 3-2 Washington Capitals win over the Arizona Coyotes on Monday saw Mike Richards score his first with the club, Alex Ovechkin notch his league-best 39th goal, and the team become the fastest in NHL history to hit 44 wins, needing only 58 games.

It appears Craig Smith's greatest enemy is an empty net.The Nashville Predators forward had a wide-open net in the final minute of overtime Monday against the Montreal Canadiens, but somehow managed to block his own one-timer attempt with his follow-through.

Jake Allen might be returning to a starter's role after all.The league's hottest goaltender, Brian Elliott, exited with a lower-body injury in Monday's loss to the San Jose Sharks after awkwardly twisting to the ice in an attempt to reach back and prevent a puck from trickling into the net.He tested the knock, performing some movements in the crease, but had to make way for Allen, who was thrust into goal a day after being activated from injured reserve. He missed 17 games with a lower-body injury himself.Elliott won 12 games in his counterpart's absence, and in the process shot to the league lead among active goaltenders in both save percentage (.932) and goals-against average (2.06) heading into Monday's contest.St. Louis did not provide a firm update after the game, announcing that Elliott would undergo further evaluation on Tuesday.A significant injury would once again render the Blues thin in goal, of course, but they remain in good hands with Allen. His .924 clip before his setback represents a top-10 save percentage among goaltenders with at least 30 appearances.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Reaves hit on Tennyson knocking him outSt. Louis Blues defenseman Ryan Reaves received a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct after nailing San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Tennyson face-first into the boards during the first period Monday.Tennyson appeared to be unconscious as his head slammed against the ice after the hit. He slowly skated off with help from teammates before heading to the dressing room. After the game, head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters the 25-year-old is "likely concussed."Reaves will certainly be hearing from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The 29-year-old received a maximum $5,000 fine earlier this season for catching forward Anze Kopitar with a cheap shot during a Nov. 3 game against the Los Angeles Kings.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks made a move ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline Monday by acquiring defenseman Roman Polak and forward Nick Spaling from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Raffi Torres and a pair of draft picks.Related: Maple Leafs trade Polak, Spaling to Sharks for 2 second-round picks, TorresWhile many see this deal as a depth move for a potential Sharks playoff run, Polak is heading to San Jose optimistic that he and Spaling can provide more."Nick and I will be part of the power play for sure because we have two goals together," Polak joked Monday, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. Both players have just one goal this season, with Spaling's lone tally coming Saturday - in his final game as a Leaf.While they may not see much time on the man advantage, Polak is certainly excited about moving to a competitive team."It's always to nice to play a game that actually means something," he said.The pair aren't available for Monday against the St. Louis Blues, but could make their debuts Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hunter Shinkaruk got a fair shake, at least in the mind of Jim Benning.The Vancouver Canucks GM defended his contentious decision to part with the 21-year-old former first-round pick and perhaps the club's top prospect at wing to acquire Markus Granlund from the Calgary Flames in a trade completed Monday.Related: Canucks deal Hunter Shinkaruk to Flames for Markus Granlund"I don't think we gave up on Hunter Shinkaruk," Benning said in a conference call. "He's having a good year in the (AHL) for us this year. We worked with him to improve the details in his game. But we just felt that we're getting a good player for him in return."This is a move that when we get to where we want to be (competitively) and win on a nightly basis that Markus is the guy that can do that for us."Benning further explained why Shinkaruk, who ranks seventh in American Hockey League goal scoring this season, had only been called up for one game in his brief tenure with Vancouver."When we call players up, it's to fit a role with our group," he said. "I think at the end of the day, we didn't feel he was ready to be a full-time NHL player yet. We thought it was important for him to stay down in Utica and keep developing the parts of the game that he needed to work on."Our goal, if we were to have kept him, was for him to be ready to play in the NHL next season."Benning acknowledged Shinkaruk's penchant for finding the back of the net, but indicated he wasn't convinced that skill would translate to the next level.Vancouver and its 29th-ranked offense sits nine points out of the final postseason spot in the Pacific Division.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hunter Shinkaruk probably needed a seat when he heard the news.The 21-year-old was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to his hometown Calgary Flames on Monday, and while being dealt for the first time in his career is jarring, there's relief in knowing he's going somewhere familiar."I've never been traded before in junior or pro, so obviously it's a big surprise and a big shock," Shinkaruk said, according to the Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma."Obviously my head is spinning," he added, "but I could not be happier."

For the second straight season, the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames have swung a deadline deal.Vancouver has sent winger Hunter Shinkaruk - a former first-round pick and Calgary native - to the Flames in exchange for center Markus Granlund, the Canucks have confirmed.Shinkaruk has appeared in one game - and logged less than 10 minutes - with the Canucks since being selected 24th overall back in 2013. He leads the AHL's Utica Comets in scoring in his second professional season, with 21 goals and 39 points.Granlund, selected in the second round two years prior, has four goals and seven points in 31 games with the big club this season. He's seen time in the minors in all three seasons with the organization, amassing 14 goals and 14 assists in 86 total games.Shinkaruk and Granlund are each controllable assets in need of new contracts for next season.Vancouver landed Sven Baertschi in exchange for a second-round pick in a deal with Calgary last spring. The Flames used the pick to select Rasmus Andersson, a defenseman contributing at nearly a point-per-game pace with the OHL's Barrie Colts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov was suspended three games for a elbow to the head of Ryan McDonagh, but the New York Rangers defenseman holds no ill will towards the fellow All-Star after receiving an apology - via text."(Komarov) did try to apologize during the game, but I was showering so we didn’t meet up," McDonagh told Larry Brooks from the New York Post on Monday. "But he did message me, so I was real appreciative of that."The 26-year-old was playing in just his second game since returning from a concussion suffered on a punch from Wayne Simmonds of the Philadelphia Flyers. McDonagh avoided a concussion on the Komarov hit, but sat out Sunday's win against the Detroit Red Wings."It's an unfortunate hit, a play you want out of this league, like many guys have said," McDonagh added.It's not the first time Komarov has had to apologize for a hit this season, following a sorry directed at Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang for a dangerous hit from behind while they were in Nashville for All-Star Weekend.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What was an exciting day for many Montreal Canadiens' fans turned into a scary ordeal for one particular family.On Sunday, 17,000 fans packed the Bell Centre in Montreal to watch the team's open practice. Canadiens' players circled the ice and threw pucks into the stands for children. However, a puck tossed by star defenseman P.K. Subban accidentally struck a 1-month-old baby in the head.The baby girl, Beatrice, suffered a concussion, and was released from hospital on Monday, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels. She's expected to fully recover, according to her mother, Valerie Meloche.(Courtesy: Facebook)Meloche thanked fans via Facebook who came to the aid of her daughter immediately following the incident.Canadiens vice president of communications, Donald Beauchamp, indicated that members of the organization visited the family in hospital. He also said Subban is planning to apologize to the family, even though he isn't directly to blame for the incident."I can tell you, P.K. is really excited to meet the family and hold the little one in his arms," Beachamp told TVA.The family was invited to a game later this season, Engels added, and accepted the invitation.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the veterans depart, Mike Babcock wants Toronto Maple Leafs fans to know that this is all part of the plan - and nothing's going to be handed to the kids.Roman Polak and Nick Spaling were traded to the San Jose Sharks on Monday, one day after Shawn Matthias was sent to the Colorado Avalanche.Related: Maple Leafs trade Polak, Spaling to Sharks for 2 second-round picks, Torres"(The) guys who left were good people," Babcock said after practice Monday, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "That's the people part of the (business). The (business) part of the (business) is we're excited to have the kids."

The NHL trade deadline is arguably the most anticipated single day during the regular season. Names big and small are often on the move, with sky-high prices being paid for rental players.Before this year's deadline - Monday, Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. ET - let's take a look back at deadlines from the past couple of years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a case of good news and bad news for the Florida Panthers.Aleksander Barkov is likely to return to the lineup Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes, Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant said Monday, according to Jameson Olive of the club's official website.Barkov has missed six games since being hit high by Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader on Feb. 8.Related: Panthers livid over Abdelkader's 'cheap shot' on BarkovPanthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau, however, won't play Thursday, Gallant said. Huberdeau left Saturday's game after being hit awkwardly into the boards by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba.Defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who has been out since Feb. 4, is also likely to return to the Panthers' lineup against the Coyotes.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr, Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula, and Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson were named the NHL's three stars of the week Monday.Jagr scored three goals in three games last week while moving into sole possession of third place on the NHL's all-time goal-scoring list.Related: Jaromir Jagr scores 742nd goal to pass Brett Hull for 3rd all timeThe 44-year-old has 20 goals and 43 points in 56 games this season.

Ilya Kovalchuk is apparently in trouble in the KHL."(Due) to a coach's decision, Ilya Kovalchuk has been removed from the squad and has been placed on an individual training programme," SKA St. Petersburg assistant coach Maxim Sokolov said Monday.Kovalchuk was exiled due to poor performance but has not been removed from the team entirely, reports Igor Eronko of Sport-Express. SKA St. Petersburg's head coach is former NHL defenseman Sergei Zubov.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports Kovalchuk won't just be missing practices.

Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata left Sunday's game late in the third period after taking an awkward fall, and didn't practice Monday. The club announced that he's day to day with what's thought to be a lower-body injury.Earlier Monday, it was reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that the injury isn't thought to be serious.Vrbata scored his first goal in February on Sunday night, but ended up playing only 12:41 in the game. He has 12 goals and 12 assists - with nine of those points coming on the power play.His contract set to expire this summer, Vrbata and his $5 million salary and cap hit are expected to be on the move come next week's trade deadline. Vancouver's nine points out of a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, and seven behind in the wild-card race, so all signs point to the club selling off assets as Feb. 29 approaches.Vrbata, who will turn 35 in June, is in his second season with the Canucks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers will be without captain Claude Giroux against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.Giroux will miss his second consecutive game after sustaining an upper-body injury Friday following a hit from Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban. He remains day to day.The 28-year-old forward has 16 goals and 33 assists in 57 games this season.His absence comes at a critical time for the Flyers, who are five points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival won't face supplemental discipline for delivering a high hit to Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker on Sunday, reports Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.Related: Blackhawks' Rozsival ejected for high hit on Wild's ZuckerRozsival was assessed a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct after hitting Zucker late in the second period.Zucker was carted off the ice with an upper-body injury. He's currently listed as day to day.The 24-year-old has 12 goals and 10 assists in 58 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teach a man to throw a fish, or he'll struggle repeatedly trying to get it over the glass.A University of New Hampshire hockey fan illustrated that Saturday while attempting to carry out a school tradition during a game against Boston University.Wildcats fans at a local fraternity have being throwing fish on the ice after New Hampshire's first goal at home games since the 1970s, but this toss won't go down in history as one of the best.The moral - just like in fishing - is that patience pays off.- With h/t to UproxxCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Roman Polak and forward Nick Spaling to the San Jose Sharks for second-round picks in 2017 and 2018, and forward Raffi Torres.

Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata's trade value was definitely on the rise Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche as he ended a 14-game goalless drought in front of a number of league scouts, but his night took a turn for the worst during the third period.The pending free agent took an awkward fall while being pursued by defenseman Tyson Barrie in the corner, and the 34-year-old immediately left the game and limped to the dressing room.

After both he and fellow goalie Henrik Lundqvist kept the scoresheet blank through 60 minutes during Sunday's game between the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, it was a familiar face who spoiled Jimmy Howard's bid for his first win since Dec. 3.Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein sniped the game-winner in overtime past the glove of the Red Wings goalie after a nice feed from forward Kevin Hayes.(Courtesy: NHL.com)It's not the first time Klein has scored a big goal on Howard. The blue-liner scored another beauty against him on the glove side during the 2012 playoffs as a member of the Nashville Predators, who went on to win that game and the first-round series.Klein's heroics helped Lundqvist record his fifth shutout of the season, and sixth win in his past seven starts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a 54-point campaign a year ago, Ryan Callahan has struggled to produce at the same pace this season. But one thing hasn't changed - when the 30-year-old scores, the Tampa Bay Lightning win.Callahan scored his seventh of the season with a rocket in the second period and added an empty-netter in the final minute as the Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Sunday. Since joining the team in 2013, the Rochester, N.Y., native has lifted Tampa Bay to a record of 27-5-2 in games in which he scores.(Courtesy: NHL.com)"The confidence is definitely there again," said Callahan, who has three goals and five points in his last four games. He now has eight goals and 22 points in 58 games on the season.J.T. Brown scored his eighth of the season, while captain Steven Stamkos' team-leading 25th would stand as the eventual game-winner. At the other end of the rink, Ben Bishop made 29 saves to backstop the Lightning's third consecutive win.Now just five points behind the rival Florida Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead, Tampa Bay will host the struggling Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday before heading out on a four-game road trip.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sports fans in North Carolina are cheering for Michael Jordan once again.But this time, it's on the hockey rink.Take away the "e" in his name and you get Czech-born defenseman Michal Jordan of the Carolina Hurricanes - who beat Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop with a beautiful wraparound to tie Sunday's game 2-2 in the second period.(Courtesy: NHL.com)It was Jordan's first goal of the season, and the third of his career. He is currently in the lineup filling in for injured All-Star Justin Faulk.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Facing the Calgary Flames on Sunday, Anaheim Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano played in his 680th consecutive game, passing Henrik Sedin for the sixth-longest such streak in NHL history.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov will miss Sunday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes due to a lower-body injury, the team announced.It will be Kucherov's first missed game of the season and he is considered day to day.The 22-year-old leads the Lightning with 49 points in 58 games this season, and is tied with captain Steven Stamkos with a team-leading 24 goals. It is not believed he was injured during Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, as he took his last shift during the game's final minute.With Kucherov out, Jonathan Marchessault will slot into the team's top six forwards. The 25-year-old winger has seven goals and seven assists in 30 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.