Robin Lehner will inhabit the Buffalo Sabres' crease once again.Buffalo has announced that Lehner was recalled from his American Hockey League conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans.Lehner injured his ankle 28 minutes into his Sabres' season opener on Oct. 8, and has been on the mend since.He allowed 10 goals for an .888 save percentage during his conditioning stint, winning once in three appearances in his only performances of record this season.Buffalo spent a first-round pick to acquire Lehner from the Ottawa Senators this offseason.Linus Ullmark has been returned to Rochester in a corresponding move.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals now have insurance for their center-ice insurance.Scott Gomez, 36, has signed on with Washington's minor-league affiliate, the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears, on a professional tryout basis, the team announced Thursday.The agreement comes a week after the Capitals bolstered their depth through center by signing fellow veteran free agent Mike Richards.Gomez, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and veteran of well over 1,000 games, was waived and had his contract terminated by the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 30.He scored a goal and eight points in 21 games this season, pushing his career point total to 755.If he does indeed see action, it will be Gomez's first stint in the American Hockey League.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here is theScore's NHL daily fantasy content offering for Thursday:

The NHL expects National Women's Hockey League player Denna Laing to sue the league after suffering a serious spinal injury at the Outdoor Women's Classic on Dec. 31 at Gillette Stadium, reports Josh Kosman of the New York Post.Laing, a forward for the Boston Pride, crashed into the boards during an outdoor game with the Canadian Women’s Hockey League's Les Canadiennes and was taken off the ice on a stretcher.Her family later confirmed that she has limited movement of her arms and no feeling in her legs, while Laing has been providing further updates on social media.According to Kosman, there were some reports that the ice surface was soft at the time of the accident. Players did sign a liability waiver prior to the game, but that was based on the ice being in playable condition, a source added.In a statement released after the extent of Laing's injuries was announced, she said, "We made history that day and I would never take those moments back."Laing also is expected to sue the NFL's New England Patriots, which owns the stadium, as well as the two women's leagues.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sam Bennett will remember Jan. 13, 2016.The rookie lit up the Florida Panthers, scoring four goals, and etched his name in the Calgary Flames' record book. At 19 years and 207 days old, Bennett's the youngest Flames player to ever record a hat trick, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Bennett's fourth goal - as pretty as they come - put him in the NHL record books. He's the third-youngest player in league history to find the back of the net four times in a single game.(Courtesy: @GinoRedaTSN)After going 18 games without a goal from Nov. 27 through Jan. 7, Bennett's luck has turned. He scored his four goals Wednesday on only five shots and has five goals over his last two games."I'm happy for him to get that ketchup out of the Heinz bottle," said teammate Mikael Backlund, perfectly."Right from the start of the game, he was flying out there," head coach Bob Hartley said. "Very happy for him, a great performance, he played well. Here's a young kid that was working so hard, it's nice to see that he's getting rewarded."Bennett was drafted fourth overall by the Flames in 2014. He has 10 goals and nine assists in 41 games and is a big part of the club's future. If Wednesday was any indication, the future, with Bennett and Johnny Gaudreau, is bright.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Thursday, we examine a few players you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your hockey pool.Rangers G Henrik LundqvistIn case you haven't been paying attention, Henrik Lundqvist's performance has been anything but majestic as of late.Through the month of December, his numbers for the New York Rangers were downright awful. In 10 starts to cap off 2015, what was otherwise a typically strong calendar year, Lundqvist posted a record of 4-5-1, allowing 33 goals on 305 shots for a save percentage of .892.2016 didn't exactly start with a bang, save for his last start, which warrants immediate action in terms of attempting to make a play for his services on the trade market.DateOpponentResultShots AgainstSavesJan. 2PanthersL 3-02017Jan. 5StarsW 6-22321Jan. 9CapitalsL 4-3 OT3127Jan. 11BruinsW 2-13332Over the past 30 days, Lundqvist ranks 1,809th in Yahoo fantasy leagues and for the season he's outside the top 20 among all goalies. Still, his save percentage (.920) is essentially right at his career average, and this run is likely a blip on the radar.The opportunity to add a goalie of his ilk doesn't present itself often, so float an offer in hopes he returns to the form that had him ranked 12th overall in Yahoo leagues at the beginning of the season.Sharks F Logan Couture2015-16 has not been kind to Logan Couture.The San Jose Sharks center has been limited to 11 games due to injury, with only one goal on 21 shots to his credit.Couture is, however, showing signs of the player that has averaged 29.4 goals per every 82 games played over the course of his career, with a goal and an assist over his past two games, and four shots in 18:33 of ice time - both season highs - in his latest outing.Rated as a top-25 player in Yahoo's original rankings, Couture's current shooting percentage of 4.8 is sure to rise closer to his career success rate of 11.6 as the season progresses.Jets D Dustin ByfuglienPlaying in a contract year, one would expect the very best out of Dustin Byfuglien.Instead, the Winnipeg Jets defenseman is on pace for a rather modest 17 goals and 44 points, essentially matching his production from last season, wherein he appeared in only 69 games.At present, Byfuglien is mired in an 11-game goalless streak, with only two assists to his credit in that span.There are a couple factors that could work in fantasy managers' favor. For one, Byfuglien is averaging 3.11 shots per game, slightly above his career number. That his shooting percentage is down a touch suggests the goal scoring could increase over the second half of the season.And of course, his contract situation can't be ignored. At 30, he's no doubt looking to cash in, whether it be with the Jets or another team. There's a very real possibility that he could be dealt prior to the trade deadline, with a change of scenery helping to increase his production.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens are struggling mightily, and it's evidently time for a change.The Canadiens - once Stanley Cup contenders - have gone 6-13-1 in 20 games since Carey Price aggravated a lower-body injury at the end of November.It's difficult for any team to get by without its No. 1 goalie, let alone the reigning Hart and Vezina trophy winner. However, at a certain point, the blame must shift beyond the loss of the man in the crease.

A roller-coaster night for Ryan Getzlaf ended with redemption.Related: VIDEO: Another Getzlaf gaffe leads to Lazar breakaway goalThe Anaheim Ducks captain atoned for a costly turnover by setting up Shea Theodore's first NHL goal, which held up as the winner in a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night:(Courtesy: NHL.com)Carl Hagelin and Jakob Silfverberg added third-period goals as the Ducks scored three times in a span of 3:29 to hand the Senators their second straight loss.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Your move, Joe Thornton.Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett saved his best for last Wednesday night, going between the legs with a series of moves to school Florida Panthers defenseman Alex Petrovic and score his fourth goal of the game.Bennett tallied three times in the first period to pick up the first hat trick of his career in a 6-0 win over the Panthers, who've suddenly lost consecutive games.VIDEOS: Flames' Bennett records 1st-period hat trick vs. PanthersThe 19-year-old rookie became the first Flames player to score four goals in a game since Jarome Iginla did it in February 2003.Bennett now has 14 goals and nine assists in 42 games.Thornton infamously told reporters what he'd do upon scoring four goals after teammate Tomas Hertl accomplished the feat in 2013.

Ryan Getzlaf did it again.The Anaheim Ducks captain cost his team a goal with a boneheaded turnover for the second time this season, firing a no-look pass right to Ottawa Senators forward Curtis Lazar, who coasted in on a breakaway and tied the game Wednesday night:(Courtesy: NHL.com)Mike Santorelli replaced Getzlaf alongside Corey Perry and Rickard Rakell on the next shift, and the captain was essentially benched until emerging on the fourth line in the third period.Getzlaf's ill-fated drop-pass gifted Arizona Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker an overtime winner back in November.The Ducks center is having a forgettable season, entering Wednesday's contest with only three goals in 37 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen came to play against both the Ottawa Senators and his own team Wednesday.Andersen absolutely robbed teammate Clayton Stoner - who nearly put a spinning backhand into his own net - with a wicked pad save to keep the game scoreless in the second period.It's hard to blame Stoner for trying. He has struggled to find the back of the net with just one goal in 34 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career, and it only took him 17 minutes to do so.Bennett scored three goals in the first period Tuesday as the Flames jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead over the Florida Panthers.The 19-year-old opened the scoring less than a minute into the game:He extended the lead to three with his second goal of the game midway through the period:And he buried his third goal of the game and his ninth of the season shortly thereafter:(Courtesy: NHL.com)Bennett made Flames history in the process, becoming the youngest player in team history to record a hat trick.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers has been fined $5,000 for his cross-check on San Jose Sharks forward Tommy Wingels in Tuesday night's game.Myers knocked Wingels to the ice with a cross-check to the face after the Sharks winger hit him along the boards in the third period of San Jose's 4-1 win.Myers received a cross-checking major and a game misconduct.Sharks forward Joe Pavelski put the game out of reach on the ensuing power play, giving San Jose a 3-1 lead with his 22nd goal of the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils forward Bobby Farnham has been suspended four games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his dangerous hit on St. Louis Blues forward Dmitirij Jaskin.Farnham crushed Jaskin - who had his head turned and was nowhere near the puck - in the third period on Tuesday.He was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference, and the incident led to a melee between the two teams.The league stated that Jaskin was "not eligible to be checked in any manner," adding, "This is a calculated decision by a player seeking retribution against the opposing team, and choosing to do so in an illegal and violent manner."It is the first time Farnham has been suspended in his 38-game NHL career.The 26-year-old has seven goals and one assists in 27 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kevin Fiala's time has finally come.Amid a four-game losing streak, the Nashville Predators recalled their prized prospect from the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday.It marks a deviation from the Predators' initial plan for the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft, but general manager David Poile decided it was time."Kevin is playing quite well right now," Poile said, according to Adam Vignan of The Tennessean. "Again, like a lot of younger players, there's some highs and lows. Quite honestly, if we had been playing better, I would've been happy to leave Kevin in Milwaukee all year, but desperate times call for desperate measures."Fiala, who fell just short of making the Predators roster out of training camp, has recorded 12 points in his last 13 games for Milwaukee. He has 21 points in 34 games this season."Kevin plays with a lot of energy," Poile added. "He has an offensive flair and because where we are right now, we're giving Kevin a chance."The 19-year-old forward is expected to be in the lineup against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. He played in one regular season game and one playoff game for the Predators last season, but did not register a point.Nashville also recalled forward Cody Bass, while reassigning forward Viktor Arvidsson to the AHL on Thursday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Raffi Torres is back.The San Jose Sharks placed the veteran winger on the active roster Wednesday, while stashing Dainius Zubrus on injured reserve.Torres will be sent to the AHL's San Jose Barracuda on a conditioning assignment before being called up.He was suspended 41 games in October for a hit to the head of Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg in the preseason.Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer focused instead on Torres' recovery from knee surgery, which the forward had last month."We're proud of how hard Raffi has worked over the last four months to continue to rehab from his injury," DeBoer said."We know Raffi can be a very effective player for our team and this assignment will allow him to get back into game shape."The Sharks played their 41st game Tuesday night, defeating the Winnipeg Jets 4-1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be watching the drawing for the $1.5-billion Powerball jackpot along with the rest of America.Rodgers admitted that not only will he be watching Wednesday night, but that he's given himself a shot at winning the enormous prize."I mean, why not?" Rodgers said, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "C'mon, everybody's got the same opportunity, right? One in 292 million, or billion? Yeah, I've got my tickets."While Rodgers doesn't exactly need the money because of his $22-million-a-year contract, he does have aspirations that would require that kind of money."I'd buy an NHL team," Rodgers said.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian will play his first NHL game in over 10 months on Thursday.Kassian, who was recalled Wednesday by the Oilers following a four-game stint with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, has not played in the NHL this season, after entering into the league's substance abuse program in October. He's thankful to have been given a second chance."I'm excited to be back in the NHL," Kassian said. "It's what we dream about, and it almost slipped away. So I couldn't be more happy to get another chance."The 24-year-old was acquired by the Oilers in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 28."Overall I feel really good," Kassian said. "I did some fitness testing and did well on that, so I'm just excited to get into games here."I got called up, I'm ready. I wouldn't have been called up if I wasn't ready. I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow."The 13th overall pick in 2009 has recorded 66 points in 198 career NHL games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers television analyst and color commentator Denis Potvin apologized Wednesday for comments directed towards Vancouver Canucks star Daniel Sedin at the conclusion of Monday's game."My choice of words at the conclusion of the Vancouver game on Monday should have been more appropriate," Potvin said in a statement. "In the passion of the moment and under the circumstances of how the game ended, they came out wrong. For that I'm going to extend my sincere apologies to Daniel Sedin, Trevor Linden and the Canucks organization."The comments were made following Sedin's game-winning overtime goal, when a fiery scrum broke out between the benches.Related: Panthers announcer drops bizarre peanut butter reference on SedinsPotvin called Sedin "a lowlife," before adding: "Normally they only use those fingers to lick the peanut butter off of their bread. What are they doing pointing fingers?"

Arizona Coyotes forward - and All-Star captain - John Scott was sent to the AHL on Wednesday, hours after the club claimed defenseman Kevin Connauton off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets.Scott won't be gone for long, though:

Ryan Miller is back from a rather mysterious injury.The Vancouver Canucks goalie is likely to start Thursday against the Washington Capitals after missing the past eight games, head coach Willie Desjardins announced.Miller exited a game Dec. 20 after reportedly cramping up during the shootout. The word from Desjardins was that Miller would be fine, but over three weeks later, he's finally ready to resume his duties."I'm very excited. I definitely didn't expect to be out this long," Miller said. "I want to get back in and battle."Jacob Markstrom filled in admirably in Miller's absence, posting a record of 5-2-1 with a .931 save percentage.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche's defense corps will look different Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils.The club announced Wednesday that it's recalled Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras from the AHL's San Antonio Rampage. Going the other way is Brandon Gormley, who cleared waivers, while Nate Guenin was placed on waivers.Erik Johnson, second on the team in ice time per game, was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, according to the team's website. The move is retroactive to Jan. 4, and allows for the two young blue-liners to join the team.Zadorov and Bigras represent the future for the Avalanche on defense. Zadorov was acquired in the trade that sent Ryan O'Reilly to the Buffalo Sabres, and the 20-year-old played 11 games for Colorado earlier this season, registering two assists. He has eight goals and 10 assists in 28 games on the farm.Bigras was drafted 32nd overall in 2013 by the Avalanche, and will make his NHL debut should he draw into Patrick Roy's lineup Thursday. Also 20, Bigras has six goals and 13 assists in 37 games with the Rampage.The Avalanche are alive in the Western Conference's wild-card race. Colorado's tied with the Nashville Predators - who hold the coveted second wild-card spot - with 45 points, but Nashville's played one fewer game.Gormley had an assist in 26 games, while Guenin was pointless in 29 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Wild appear to be in on the Jonathan Drouin sweepstakes, but he won't come cheap.This according to Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune, who reported on his weekly podcast that the Tampa Bay Lightning covet a talented, young, right-handed defenseman.

Anze Kopitar and the Los Angeles Kings are reportedly putting the finishing touches on a megadeal.Kopitar is in the "final stages" of signing an eight-year, $80-million contract extension that will see him earn $10 million annually through 2024, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.The specifics pertaining to the deal's no-movement conditions are apparently holding up an announcement, ESPN's Craig Custance reports.Kopitar's staggering annual cap hit will see him earn the Kings' largest annual salary, unseating Drew Doughty, and also become the third-highest-paid player in the NHL, trailing only Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.The two-time Stanley Cup champion and nine-year veteran has 12 goals, 35 points, and a plus-17 rating through 42 games.He continues to own the exemplary possession and efficiency numbers to support his claim as one of the very best two-way forwards in the game.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The red-hot Arizona Coyotes are tinkering on the back end.Defenseman Kevin Connauton, exposed on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets, was scooped up Wednesday.Connauton is capable offensively, with 11 goals and 37 points in 125 career games, but became expendable once Seth Jones was acquired from the Nashville Predators.He's the second defenseman the Blue Jackets lost on waivers this month after Andrew Bodnarchuk went to the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 5.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Zack Kassian's back in the NHL.The Edmonton Oilers recalled the menacing, much-maligned forward Wednesday after a brief four-game stint with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League.Kassian hasn't appeared in an NHL game in 10 months. His 2014-15 season with the Vancouver Canucks ended with an injury, and before ever playing a game with the Montreal Canadiens, he was entered into the league's substance abuse program.The former lottery selection's best season came in 2013-14, when he scored 14 goals and 29 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cody Hodgson's career has hit another big bump in the road after the 25-year-old was placed on waivers by the Nashville PredatorsSigned to a one-year, $1.05-million contract in the offseason, Hodgson appeared in 39 games, recording three goals and eight assists.

New Jersey Devils forward Bobby Farnham will have a hearing Wednesday for "interference" on Dmitrij Jaskin of the St. Louis Blues, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.The incident occurred Tuesday, after Farhman was levelled by Kevin Shattenkirk behind the net, and went after Jaskin in retaliation. A scuffle ensued, highlighted by a fight between Ryan Reaves and Jordin Tootoo.Farnham has no history of supplemental discipline at the NHL level, but has amassed 73 penalty minutes in 38 career games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens aren't shying away from their latest controversy.One day after Alex Galchenyuk and Devante Smith-Pelly were summoned to the general manager's office to address the latter's girlfriend's arrest in a domestic dispute, head coach Michel Therrien had the two skating on the same line at practice.Related: Galchenyuk won't file charges after girlfriend arrested in domestic disputeThe two have only sparingly been used together this season, but there's reason for their deployment together. Max Pacioretty was absent from practice for maintenance, opening up top-six rushes down the wing.Galchenyuk briefly spoke after practice, issuing this apologetic statement via TVA's Renaud Lavoie, "I feel bad for my teammates, the organization and for the fans."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Woe, Canada.If the playoffs began Wednesday, only one Canadian team would be in the ultimate hockey tournament - the Montreal Canadiens. Barely, at that.It's been a season to forget for most clubs north of the border. And we haven't even talked about the plummeting Loonie.1. Washington Capitals

The novelty of having NHL hockey back in Winnipeg may be wearing off.Coming off their first playoff appearance since returning to Manitoba and within striking distance of a wild-card spot, the Jets have plenty of tickets available for Thursday against the Nashville Predators, a team they're chasing in the standings.Here's a look at the MTS Centre map roughly 33 hours prior to puck drop (blue indicates available seats):(Courtesy: Ticketmaster.ca)The Jets somewhat famously sold their season ticket plans within minutes of making the move from Atlanta, and while True North Sports & Entertainment spokesman Scott Brown maintains game-day tickets have always been available - albeit singles and obstructed seats - the current situation veers from the norm."The Nashville game we do need to sell a few more tix," Brown confessed to Paul Wiecek of the Winnipeg Free Press."We’re not alarmed by any of these numbers, nor are we in a panic," he continued. "But at the same time, we are making more of an effort this year than in previous years to let people know tickets are available."We’re sending out more notifications because we admit there needs to be a more overt effort on our part to let people know they can get tickets on a game day."The Jets are averaging 15,294 fans per game, selling out all 19 home games this season, including Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Brown, however, admits to being able to list games as sellouts with not every seat being filled."If we get over 99 per cent sold, we - as any other building in all of sports - just list attendance as a sellout," he explained.Hockey is still a hot ticket in Winnipeg, and the Jets rank fifth in the NHL in terms of filling the rink to capacity. But fans are more prone to support winners, and the franchise has played a grand total of eight playoff games dating back to the Atlanta days, and four in four years since moving north.If that trend continues, a once hot ticket could cool off even more.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid turns 19 today, though that's hardly cause for celebration.Sure, he might be fitted for a playful headlock from Luke Gazdic, or perhaps receive a broken English greeting from Nail Yakupov that will bring rise to the room. But it will only serve as a brief distraction for the Edmonton Oilers, on the road in California, from their current state.Somewhere between self-pity and surrender.The Oilers were 4-3 overtime losers to the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, failing to net two points for the 10th time in their last 13 games.They still rank dead last in the Western Conference, and despite being six points back of the Pacific's final postseason slot, three teams stand between them and third-place San Jose.McDavid will miss a minimum of 37 games before he, the medical team, and coaching staff agree his left clavicle - broken in his 13th game and before he could truly introduce his talent - is strong enough to withstand the hazards associated with competing at the highest level.Unfortunately by then, this season will be a lost cause.For a while, McDavid's team was doing its part. The Oilers won six straight games to open December, and provided every indication they could at least close over the wound, and just hang around long enough for the rookie phenom's return.Bleeding, though, has since prevailed. Edmonton has managed 12 wins in 31 games since its latest No.1 overall selection was cancelled by two Philadelphia Flyers' defensemen. And the road map to McDavid's return will only become more cumbersome to navigate.The Oilers meet the Sharks and Flames to close out the week before embarking on a three-game road trip with stops in Florida, Tampa Bay, and Dallas. Then they return home to face the Predators before an extended nine-game break around the All-Star Game.Projections are, as we know, bunk. Because for all we know, the Oilers could run the table and be in postseason seeding when McDavid returns.But even if they split the next six, which would be generous considering the quality of their opponents, the Oilers will head into the break totaling 20 wins in 50 games.So, based on the 95-point standard for postseason-bound rosters, the Oilers, with McDavid, would have to win approximately 80 percent of their games down the stretch to snap the club's nine-year postseason drought.You'd have to prefer their chances at winning another lottery.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's one thing to start putting in your 10,000 hours before your first birthday, and quite another to have the greatest of all time as your teacher.That's the story early in Tatum Gretzky Johnson's life, who's receiving stick-handling lessons from "PaPa" Wayne.

The Buffalo Sabres are making progress, but not enough to change the course quite yet.That's the assessment of general manager Tim Murray, who says he remains in sell mode as the NHL's trade deadline approaches."The approach is the same. We’re in 29th place. I do stress that we think we’ve improved greatly everywhere but in the standings," Murray told Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. "This is the process. If I can acquire younger assets or future assets for some of our veterans, especially veterans on expiring contracts, I’m going to pursue that for sure."LeBrun floats forward Jamie McGinn, defenseman Mike Weber, and goaltender Chad Johnson as possible candidates to be moved.To the surprise of many, LeBrun says the Sabres would also listen to offers for 26-year-old center Tyler Ennis - a three-time 20-goal scorer and former first-round pick.Ennis, as LeBrun notes, has three seasons left on his contract with a $4.6 million annual cap hit.Despite being on track to add another high-end prospect at the draft, Murray is quite right in his assertion that his club is much improved over last year.SeasonGF/GPGA/GPShots/GPCorsi2014-151.873.2824.237.52015-162.302.6529.747.8The team is led in scoring by Ryan O'Reilly and Jack Eichel, two of this past offseason's key additions, with young players like Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart also coming into their own as top-end talent.On the flip side, however, Evander Kane has contributed only eight goals in 33 games, while expected starting goalie Robin Lehner has been sidelined since Day 1 with an ankle sprain.Overall, things are looking up for the Sabres, and the ability to add picks or young assets at the deadline should only continue to serve them well.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the Feb. 29 trade deadline drawing closer, two intriguing names on the market from the Western Conference are Dustin Byfuglien and Radim Vrbata.The Winnipeg Jets defenseman and Vancouver Canucks forward, respectively, are each in the final seasons of their contracts, and both have partial no-trade clauses. And as of Tuesday afternoon, both players have not been asked to provide a list of teams they would be willing to accept a trade to, reports ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.Player G A PPP Salary Cap HitByfuglien9148$6M$5.2MVrbata1097$5M$5MByfuglien will turn 31 in late March, and is poised to hit the jackpot should he hit free agency. "I don't think there's any way Byfuglien signs for any less than five years in length," LeBrun writes.Vrbata will turn 35 in June, and whether the Canucks commit to a rebuild or continue to try to keep the window open as long as the Sedin twins remain otherworldly will play a part in the winger's future. It's been a mostly disappointing season for Vrbata, who's followed up his 31-goal first season in Vancouver by shooting 6.9 percent.The Jets and Canucks remain in the playoff hunt in the West. Vancouver's a point behind Nashville for the second wild-card spot, while the Jets are four points back. The Canucks are also only four points back of second place in the not-so-competitive Pacific Division.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seth Jones is getting a chance to shine with the Columbus Blue Jackets.It may not be translating on the score sheet and in the standings quite yet, but head coach John Tortorella is clearly leaning on the young defenseman early in his tenure with the club, as Jones is averaging well over 20 minutes of ice time since being acquired from the Nashville Predators.DateOpponentIce TimePointsShotsJan. 8@ Carolina (L 4-1)22:3101Jan. 9Carolina (L 4-3 OT)22:4701Jan. 12NY Islanders (L 5-2)23:4401On top of that, Jones' deployment in Columbus brings far more responsibility than what he's used to.According to War On Ice, Jones' offensive zone starts are down from 58.15 percent in Nashville to 47.06 with the Blue Jackets, while his power play time is up to 3.43 per game, from 2.36.Sure, his possession numbers at even strength have taken a hit as a result of fewer offensive zone starts, but the power play time balances it out, meaning his Corsi rating in all situations has dipped only marginally, from 57.51 with the Predators to 55.3 in Columbus.Add it all up, and the Blue Jackets are wasting no time in asserting Jones as a top-pair defenseman who will be relied upon for years to come.Trading away a first-line center like Ryan Johansen is never easy to swallow, but the early returns suggest the Blue Jackets will have few regrets about adding a defenseman of Jones' ilk.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tuesday was a dark day for Ben Bishop. The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender lost the football team of his youth, the St. Louis Rams, which was granted approval to relocate to Los Angeles.Related: VIDEO - Blues fans chant 'Kroenke Sucks!' as Rams leave St. LouisStan Kroenke owns the Rams, and it just so happens that Kroenke Sports Entertainment also owns the Colorado Avalanche - the team the Lightning beat 4-0 on Tuesday night. And Bishop's shutout took on more significance, according to the goalie himself:

Somewhere, John Tortorella is drinking coffee, snickering.Ryan Johansen, a punching bag of sorts for Tortorella before his trade to the Nashville Predators, had the contentious tendencies in his ultra-talented toolbox surface Tuesday night.Watch as he casually stick-handled in a dangerous area before being thrown off the puck by Marian Hossa. Then, he hardly picked up his feet before being overrun on the back check, watching the Chicago Blackhawks double their lead.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Rams are no more.NFL owners approved the team's relocation to Los Angeles on Tuesday night, and a number of St. Louis football fans learned the news at Tuesday's Blues-New Jersey Devils game. And they let their feelings be known, bellowing "Kroenke Sucks!" during the hockey game.

It's going to get done. Maybe. Probably.After reporting Tuesday evening that a contract extension between the Los Angeles Kings and center Anze Kopitar was "far from done," TSN's Darren Dreger chimed in Wednesday morning with a more positive outlook on the situation:

Arizona Coyotes forward Max Domi passed another milestone Tuesday as the rookie collected his first career hat trick in a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers.Domi did all of his team's regulation scoring before defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson blasted the overtime winner with just nine seconds remaining in the extra period.The three-goal outburst helped Domi snap a goalless skid that hit 15 games entering Tuesday's contest.

DENVER - Ben Bishop stopped 21 shots for his second shutout of the season and Steven Stamkos scored twice, helping the Tampa Bay Lighting beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 on Tuesday night for their first win in Denver since 2004.

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville is just one win away from becoming the second-winningest coach of all time.Related: Blackhawks sign coach Quenneville to 3-year extensionThe Blackhawks staved off the Nashville Predators 3-2 Tuesday, helping their coach collect win No. 782, which ties him with Al Arbour for the second-most wins behind Scotty Bowman.

New Jersey Devils forward Bobby Farnham might have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety in his immediate future.Farnham absolutely leveled St. Louis Blues forward Dmitrij Jaskin - who was nowhere near the puck - with a dangerous hit in the corner on Tuesday.A melee ensued, with Blues tough guy Ryan Reaves taking down Devils enforcer Jordin Tootoo with a vicious punch to the back of the head.Farnham was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche might want to start paying attention to one of the NHL's most prolific goal-scorers.Steven Stamkos was left completely wide open on two separate occasions Tuesday, burying back-to-back second-period goals to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a commanding lead.Amid constant speculation over his contract negotiations, Stamkos continues to put together a very solid season.The 25-year-old forward has 20 goals in 43 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Down, but never out.Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle collected an assist of epic proportions against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. While lying on his back, he set up teammate Leon Draisaitl for his 10th goal of the season.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The assist gives Eberle five points in his last five games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brock Nelson continues to step up for the New York Islanders.Nelson recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.The 24-year-old forward added an assist in the game for the second four-point night of his young NHL career.He now holds the Islanders' goal-scoring lead with 17 in 43 games.New York improved to 23-15-5 with the win, and will look to take over second place in the Metropolitan Division against the New York Rangers on Thursday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins might have enjoyed a nice regulation win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday if not for arguably the flukiest goal of the season.Forward Kris Versteeg gave the Hurricanes a 2-0 second-period lead after his wrist shot hit the stick of Sidney Crosby, struck the the glass behind the Penguins' net, and then hit goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in the back, finally landing in the net.The Penguins would tie the game 2-2 before losing in overtime thanks to a power-play goal from Jeff Skinner.The Hurricanes' third straight victory sees them within a win of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If he wasn't already aware, now Cam Ward knows just how hard Phil Kessel can shoot the puck.The Pittsburgh Penguins forward took the mask right off the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender with an overpowering wrist shot in the first period of Tuesday's game.Kessel with a headshot on Cam Ward.Ward remained in the game, while the puck remained out of the net.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In December, the Los Angeles Kings were reportedly "very close" to inking Anze Kopitar to a massive long-term extension. Not so fast.That contract extension may be "far from done," reported Darren Dreger on TSN's "Insider Trading" on Tuesday."Yes, there are components to this extension that have been agreed to, but there are also a number of pieces that they haven't signed off on - to the point, I'm told now, that it's almost at an impasse," Dreger said. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done between Dean Lombardi and the agent, Pat Brisson."It was previously reported that both parties were closing in on an eight-year extension, worth approximately $9.75 million per year.The talks don't appear to be a distraction for Kopitar on the ice. He's coming off an absolutely dominant four-point night Monday against the Detroit Red Wings.The 28-year-old has 12 goals and 23 assists in 42 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.