The New Jersey Devils will have to do without their offensive catalyst for the time being.Forward Mike Cammalleri has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 30. On Monday, the team confirmed Cammalleri would visit with a doctor after being described as day to day with an upper-body injury.Cammalleri is leading the Devils in both goals and points this season, with 14 and 35 respectively.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals have placed defenseman John Carlson on injured reserve, head coach Barry Trotz told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post on Thursday.The move comes as the club looks to make room on the roster for newly signed forward Mike Richards. The designation is retroactive to when Carlson suffered an apparent lower-body injury, meaning the 25-year-old can return to the lineup as soon as he's cleared.Trotz suggested Monday that Carlson could return to the lineup during the team's three-game road trip, which continues Thursday against the New York Islanders.Carlson, however, will not play against the Islanders, and has not seen game action since Boxing Day against the Montreal Canadiens.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes will welcome back Martin Hanzal on Thursday against the Calgary Flames.Hanzal's missed 11 of the last 12 games due to a lower-body injury, last suiting up on Dec. 19. "It's been a while," Hanzal said, according to azcentral sports' Sarah McLellan.Hanzal's been practicing hard for a week, but head coach Dave Tippett will be cognizant of the forward's limitations Thursday."We'll have to monitor his minutes a little bit, but he's had almost seven or eight days here of real good, hard skating," Tippett said. "Hopefully, he can jump back in and not miss a beat. We miss that big centerman in there that controls the play."Set to turn 29 on Feb. 20, Hanzal got off to a strong start this season, with 10 assists in nine October games, and five goals and four assists in 12 games in November. His 20 points rank sixth on Arizona, despite the fact he's played only 26 games.Hanzal's surprised he's been out so long."I was out for almost three weeks," he said. "It was really surprising. It is what it is. I'm just glad I'm healthy right now."Thursday's game is a big one. The second-place Coyotes have a two-point lead over the fourth-place Flames in the ultra-tight Pacific Division.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Nashville Predators general manager David Poile and Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen swapped Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen on Wednesday, the two players looked to make a deal of their own.Related: 3 reasons the Johansen-Jones trade is a win for everyone involvedThe newest Blue Jackets blue-liner offered his apartment to the newest member of the Predators, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.The players ran into each other at the Port Columbus airport following the trade and had a 20-minute conversation during which Jones offered Johansen his apartment in Nashville, according to Portzline.

Nikolaj Ehlers and Bobby Farnham's wallets are a bit lighter Thursday afternoon.The forwards - who play for the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils, respectively - have been hit with $2,000 fines for diving/embellishment, the NHL announced.Ehlers received a warning for the same infraction on Nov. 21, and Farnham on Nov. 22. Their second violations hit them where it counts. A third from either will cost $3,000.Here's Ehlers' moment of truth:And Farnham's:(Videos courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The trades keep rolling in.The Montreal Canadiens dealt goaltender Dustin Tokarski to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Max Friberg on Thursday, the clubs announced.Tokarski, 26, became expendable after Montreal acquired Ben Scrivens in exchange for Zack Kassian. Tokarski has a 3.18 goals-against average and .878 save percentage in six games (four starts) this season. He owns a career .904 save percentage in 33 games (27 starts) across five seasons in the NHL, between Montreal and the Tampa Bay Lightning.Tokarski's best work with the Habs came in 2014, when he was thrust into five playoff games after Carey Price was hurt. He won two of them, posting a .916 save percentage.

Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu appears to be okay following a scary incident against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.The 32-year-old was taken to hospital after crashing into the boards during the Wild's 4-2 victory. However, after being released and taking the ice with the club at Thursday's morning skate, Koivu said he's feeling good, and that he'll be in the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers.

It can often be tough for athletes to watch as a teammate gets traded. It's probably even more gut-wrenching when the teammate who's traded is your sibling.Related: 3 reasons acquiring Lecavalier, Schenn makes sense for KingsOn Wednesday, Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn learned that his brother Luke, along with forward Vincent Lecavalier, had been dealt by the club to the Los Angeles Kings, in exchange for forward Jordan Weal and a third-round pick.For the brothers from Saskatoon, the trade brings an end to their days as teammates in the NHL, a time that they both cherished."I don't think you realize how good it is until it's actually taken away from you," Brayden told the Flyers' website. "For us to have a chance to experience playing in the NHL together was obviously a dream come true for both of us."Hopefully one day we still will have a chance to do it, but for now we are separated now we can focus on our own seasons and own teams."Brayden admitted that Luke was informed by his agent about rumblings of a potential trade following the Flyers' win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. The deal was finalized and confirmed a short time later.The younger of the Schenn siblings said that his brother's looking forward to playing in Los Angeles."He's excited," said Brayden. "Obviously it kind of sucks both of us not playing on the same team anymore, but at the same time you realize he's going to LA and getting a good chance on a good team."Unfortunately for the brothers, the Kings and Flyers had their final meeting of the season just three days prior to the trade, so a reunion on the ice will have to wait until next year.-with h/t to TSN.caCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes All-Star and Pacific Division captain John Scott isn't going to the 3-on-3 tournament on his own. No, he's taking all the NHL's enforcers - a dying breed, no doubt - along with him.Related: Crosby, Klingberg headline 11 All-Star snubsScott's had conflicting emotions about his All-Star selection, he told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun on Wednesday, but when he laces them up out there in Nashville with the best the NHL has to offer, he'll be thinking about the guys who came before him and paid unfathomable dues."I hope everyone who has done my job can take a little bit out of this and say, 'You know what? Finally, one of us is getting recognized.' If not for just fighting all the time, we do bring a lot to the team in terms of doing a lot things that go unseen," Scott said. "It's nice to get a bit of props once in a while for that."Scott was honest - when the campaign to get him to Nashville started, he wasn't too happy about it. But as the movement gained momentum, he decided to buy in, especially considering he thought he was facing retirement last summer."I thought I was done last year," Scott admitted. "You just never (know) when you're going to get the next opportunity. So I'm looking at this as maybe being my last year in the NHL and this is a huge deal for someone like me."I would never in a million years dream of going to an All-Star Game. That's crazy. So I figured, 'Why not? Just do it.'"It's not the fighting that's the hard part of his role, Scott said, but not knowing when he'll play, and constantly sitting out."This year, geez, I've only played 10 games, I haven't played at all," Scott said. "But I get bag-skated and worked out more than anyone I know. I do bust my hump here. It's a tough job to be in and out of the lineup and fighting. It's just not very fun. It's good to get a perk from it."Sidney Crosby will be at home watching Scott at the All-Star Game. It is what it is. In some way, Scott's hoping his play in the tournament will bring more viewers to the game, and to hockey in general.John Scott in the All-Star Game is happening. We may as well enjoy it. And in some way, perhaps he does actually deserve it.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators left winger Clarke MacArthur skated Wednesday, taking a small but significant step in his return from a concussion, though head coach Dave Cameron says that return remains "a ways away," according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.MacArthur's been out since Oct. 14, before which he went pointless in four games. He took to the ice in a track suit Wednesday, before his teammates practiced.The recovery process is moving along at a snail's pace, but Cameron said it was good to see the 30-year-old on the ice, and hopes it lifted his club's spirits."If you're a hockey player you want to be able to skate, right? You want to be able to get on the ice. That's the first step," Cameron said. "He's still a ways away but just for your well being. It's what you do. It's your career. I'm sure it makes all the difference in the world to make that next step."First and foremost, he's a teammate, a human being and a good teammate, so guys are concerned when it's a long-term injury that (with) the nature of the injury - and I'm not saying Clarke's is - it can be career ending. Guys are concerned about their teammates. To get back on the ice is huge for hockey players."There remains no timetable for MacArthur's return. He's signed through 2019-20 at a cap hit of $4.65 million.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid has been placed on injured reserve after taking a hit that landed Washington Capitals forward Zach Sill a two-game suspension.McQuaid suffered an upper-body injury when he was drilled by Sill during Tuesday's contest. He will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, after recording one goal and five helpers in 38 games.In the meantime, the club has recalled forward David Pastrnak from the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. The 19-year-old was assigned to Providence upon returning from the World Junior Hockey Championship, where he finished with one goal and four points in four games for the Czech Republic.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trevor van Riemsdyk could do nothing but lay on his back and look to the heavens. After what Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had done to him, you couldn't blame TVR.Fleury went left to right Wednesday night, using his last inch - and his goalie stick - to keep the Chicago Blackhawks defenseman's third marker of the season out of the net with one miraculous save.Fleury did what he could, but in the end it wasn't enough, thanks mostly to rookie Artemi Panarin, who scored twice in a 3-1 Blackhawks win.- With H/T to The Hockey News.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.Ryan JohansenNHL general managers finally started to make some noise Wednesday, headlined by the Columbus Blue Jackets' Jarmo Kekalainen and Nashville Predators' David Poile. The Blue Jackets swapped forward Ryan Johansen for Predators defenseman Seth Jones.Now that Johansen is in a new NHL environment, it could be time to add him to your fantasy team's environment.Johansen has not looked quite like himself this season, and though he shot down the notion that he and Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella had friction, the 23-year-old has seven goals and 12 points fewer than he did at this point last season.That said, he is anything but a dud, with 26 points in 38 games. Johansen still has all the tools to produce, and has done so with points in four of his last six games. Poile called him the type of No. 1 center the club has been looking for, in which case he can expect to play on a line with Filip Forsberg. If he slides down to the second line, he will have the chance to play with James Neal, so either way he will be in good company.The Predators will provide Johansen with every chance to succeed, and if he can replicate his former production, he'll be a great acquisition.Jason SpezzaThe Dallas Stars are in the midst of a mini-skid, having lost three straight and four of their last five.In Tuesday's loss, head coach Lindy Ruff even resorted to benching the club's dynamic duo of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.Despite the team's recent slide, forward Jason Spezza has constructed his best five-game stretch since last February, notching seven assists and eight points.Spezza is enjoying his best season since joining the Stars, and barely into the New Year is just three goals away from matching last season's total.The club's recent struggles have also indirectly rewarded Spezza, as he's been given time on the top line between Benn and Valeri Nichushkin. His asking price shouldn't break the bank, and if Ruff continues to give tough love to Benn and Seguin, more opportunities should present themselves to Spezza.Artemi Panarin Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artemi Panarin has some skill. Just ask the Pittsburgh Penguins.The 24-year-old winger helped his club collect four points from the Penguins between Tuesday and Wednesday with back-to-back two-goal games.Panarin leads all rookies in goals, assists, points, and power-play points, and sits 13th among all skaters with 38 points in 42 games. He has been all the Blackhawks have asked for and more, though playing alongside likely Art Ross Trophy winner Patrick Kane doesn't hurt.The fact that Panarin is a rookie could provide value when trying to negotiate a trade in your pool, though his age makes him more mature than most first-year players; he's five years older than Dylan Larkin and Jack Eichel.Patarin is owned in 80 percent of leagues, so some owners may even be able to pick him up for the low cost of a dropped player. If not, he is still worth putting your GM hat on for.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The ECHL's Toledo Walleye are set to honor Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry in a big way.The Detroit Red Wings affiliate will dress in jerseys made to replicate one of Cherry's many famously flashy suits for their Jan. 23 game, when the club will pay tribute to the former Boston Bruins head coach.FIRST LOOK: On Saturday, January 23 the Walleye will pay tribute to hockey legend #DonCherry. Here's the jersey we'll be wearing.The Walleye are sure to get a big thumbs up from Grapes.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wednesday was fun. Who doesn't enjoy fireworks?In a span of three hours, the Philadelphia Flyers traded Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn to the Los Angeles Kings, Mike Richards signed with the first-place Washington Capitals, and - saving best for last - the Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets swapped Ryan Johansen and Seth Jones.Johansen for Jones was a blockbuster, and a surprise despite continued whispers of a potential trade. Here's why the deal was a win for all parties involved.Young talent for young talentIn an age when most everyone is compelled to react first and think later, the Johansen for Jones trade is one with no clear winner - not right now. That's because these are two ultra-talented young players, Jones only 21 and Johansen 23. The verdict on this deal won't drop for years, making Johansen and Jones' careers more fascinating to watch.A one-for-one trade of this magnitude is extremely rare in today's salary-capped NHL. Bad contracts are typically included as teams seek cap relief, with money often retained. Most deals are problem-solving deals - my mistake for yours - or rentals.As the draft has taken on more importance, teams are more reluctant to trade young talent. The Blue Jackets and Predators bucked the trend, and that's a win in itself.Nashville finally goes in"We have been looking for a No. 1 center forever," Predators general manager David Poile said Wednesday night.Forever's a long time. Poile would know. He's been with the Predators since the club was born. And he tried, drafting center David Legwand second overall in 1998 (with the Predators' first-ever draft pick), Colin Wilson seventh overall in 2007, trading for Filip Forsberg, and selecting Kevin Fiala 11th overall in 2015.Legwand leads the Predators in games played (956), goals (210), assists (356), and points (566). He wasn't a No. 1 center, but he was a soldier. Eventually, though, you need more than a soldier - you need a general. Poile finally pulled the trigger.It's a gamble. Johansen's followed up a career year with six goals and 26 points in 38 games. Is he the guy who scored 59 goals and 134 points over the last two seasons? Can he get better?Poile's going to find out instead of wondering "What if ..." - and Poile's going to have to commit, as Johansen's set for restricted free agency in July 2017. The Predators have cap space. They will sign Johansen long term, and will sink or swim with him.And there's certainly no guarantee Johansen's the No. 1 center Poile's been looking for.But Poile went in. The Predators have been almost exclusively a risk-averse, conservative franchise. That changed a little bit Wednesday.Blue Jackets make the most of lost seasonColumbus was supposed to be competing for a playoff spot - maybe even winning a round. Next thing you know, the Blue Jackets are 0-7, head coach Todd Richards is out, John Tortorella is in, and - almost immediately - Johansen's long-term future in town is in doubt.It wasn't all Richards' fault. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had a horrific start, and as a number of teams have proven over the years, one bad stretch - a 2-10 start - can cost you the season.General manager Jarmo Kekalainen's a realist. He knows Columbus isn't making the playoffs - the club's 131 goals against and minus-26 goal differential are last in the league. So he went out and got what he needed: a top-pairing defenseman.This is where Kekalainen deserves credit - he traded for a top-pairing blue-liner from a team where Shea Weber and Roman Josi blocked Jones from playing in the top two.Nashville needed scoring, and Columbus needed help on the blue line. And by all accounts, Kekalainen wore Poile down. The Predators didn't want to trade Jones. In the end, they had to.This trade can and should work out for both teams, with both carrying some risk; Jones needs a new contract, too.But the big picture looks bright for Columbus, and that's especially important in a season gone wrong. Jones takes over as the man on defense, and Zach Werenski is on his way, along with Sonny Milano.Then, of course, there are the ping-pong balls. The Blue Jackets traded their center of the future in Johansen, but there's one available come June - phenom Auston Matthews.This season didn't go the way the Blue Jackets wanted, but they're hoping the lottery will. And if they miss out on Matthews, a few Finnish kids would look good in Columbus' red, white, and blue, too.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 New York Rangers reportedly don't believe the Columbus Blue Jackets are done dealing.A day after Columbus traded forward Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for Seth Jones, The Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline suggests the Rangers are very interested in forward Cam Atkinson, and have called the Blue Jackets multiple times about the 26-year-old's availability.

Jake Allen is going to have a tough time explaining this one.In the final 20 seconds of overtime against the Colorado Avalanche, the St. Louis Blues netminder charged out of his goal to poke the puck away from a charging John Mitchell - and lost the race.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Mitchell fed captain Gabriel Landeskog for one of the easiest overtime winners ever.The Blues have now lost consecutive games in overtime after blowing a two-goal lead against the Ottawa Senators on Monday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Victor Rask suffered an upper-body injury during Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks and will not return.Rask played 13:40 of ice time on the night, recording one shot on goal with a minus-1 rating.The 22-year-old is on pace for a career season with 11 goals and 15 assists in 40 games entering Wednesday's action.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau announced goaltender John Gibson is day to day with a lower-body injury after a collision Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, that forced him to leave the game.The recently named All-Star went down after Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri was knocked down and slid into him skates first. Frederik Andersen entered the game in his place.Gibson entered Wednesday averaging just one goal against in his past three games. He's sporting an 8-4-2 record with a league-best 1.63 GAA on the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks forward Sven Baertschi had four points in five games prior to a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and the 23-year-old picked up where he left off in his return to the lineup Wednesday against the Carolina HurricanesSent in on a breakaway by Adam Cracknell, Baertschi quickly snapped the puck top shelf before goalie Eddie Lack knew what happened.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Wednesday marked Lack's first time playing at Rogers Arena as a visitor after being dealt by the Canucks during the offseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Richards is eager to prove he can still hang at the NHL level.The veteran forward signed a one-year, $1-million prorated contract with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, giving him an opportunity to return to the game he loves after appearing in only 15 games for the Los Angeles Kings in 2015."I’m just really looking forward to getting back to having fun playing the game I love," Richards told Gary Lawless of TSN. "I’m excited and I’ve never felt better."When you’re having fun and (are) relaxed, hockey is easy. When it becomes a burden, a job, I guess, it’s difficult to play at the highest level. It was a forced vacation but the extended stay away from the game has been good for me. It’s given me a chance to see I took coming to the rink and playing hockey for a living for granted."Richards, whose contract with the Kings was terminated amid possession of a controlled substance charges back in August, believes he's put in the work needed to keep up in a league that's trending younger and faster."Watching the game on TV, it got the competitive juices going again," he told Lawless. "I started working with a new trainer this summer. ... We focused on getting better at hockey in a few key areas. Getting quicker was the big thing for me."It’s kind of hard to tell when you’re skating by yourself ... (but) we’re going to find out. I was never the best skater. But I know how to get into position to be effective. We’ll see. I don’t know what role they have planned for me in Washington."Richards' next court date is set for Jan. 28 in Emerson, Manitoba, while his debut with the Capitals likely depends on how quickly he can get up to speed with his new teammates.The 30-year-old recorded five goals and 11 assists in 53 games for the Kings last season, and is averaging 0.68 points per game for his career.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko netted his 24th goal of the season against the Colorado Avalanche to tie the NHL lead Wednesday, and a fellow Russian on the opposing squad took exception.Mikhail Grigorenko turned on the jets as he split Tarasenko and Kevin Shattenkirk in the offensive zone before burying his second goal of the season past Jake Allen, with the Blues sniper unable to slow his countryman down.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Jarome Iginla and Andreas Martinsen picked up assists on the play.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Artemi Panarin seems to enjoy playing the Pittsburgh Penguins.For the second night in a row, the Chicago Blackhawks rookie scored a pair of goals on Marc-Andre Fleury, providing the necessary offense to complete the home-and-home sweep over the Eastern Conference opponents.While the first goal was a magical slow build, the second - the eventual game-winner in the 3-1 decision - was a deadly strike right off a third-period faceoff.

Paul Byron has recorded a respectable 10 points this season after being claimed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens in October, but the surprising fact is that half those points have come on the penalty kill.The 26-year-old recorded his league-leading fifth shorthanded point by setting up a Torrey Mitchell tap-in after dancing around New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson, who slid helplessly toward the corner.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Byron entered Wednesday with three goals and one assist while shorthanded.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have no answer for the "Bread Man."Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artemi Panarin scored his third goal in two nights against the Eastern Conference foes, literally skating a circle around the Penguins before wiring the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury.

Seth Jones is going to get a chance to really shine in Columbus.The 21-year-old defenseman was acquired by the Blue Jackets on Wednesday in a rare one-for-one trade that saw Ryan Johansen sent off to the Nashville Predators.Related: Johansen looking to take 'the next step' with PredatorsDespite a rough start to the season that landed the Blue Jackets in the NHL's basement, Jones, who was drafted fourth overall in 2013, sees a bright future ahead."I see the potential in Columbus. If you look at the names on that team, it's a good team," he said, according to Aaron Portzline of The Dispatch. "We’re very young. A lot of upside."(Nashville) played Columbus twice in the preseason. They put a 7-0 on us. They just looked unstoppable."While somewhat buried down the depth chart in Nashville as a result of a loaded blue line built by Predators general manager David Poile, Jones will be given the opportunity to prove he's a legitimate top-pair defenseman for a team in desperate need of exactly that."The D-corps in Nashville is very talented. I learned so much, especially from Shea (Weber)," he said. "They all deserved the minutes they got. But I think I am ready for a larger role. I think I can deliver that right now. I’m very excited for the opportunity."Jones, who recorded a goal and 10 assists in 40 games for the Predators this season, is expected to arrive in Columbus as early as Wednesday night, with the Blue Jackets' next game set for Friday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Following Wednesday's trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Los Angeles Kings will allocate just over $4 million in cap space to veterans Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn, who have combined for just two goals and four assists this season.Related: Flyers trade Lecavalier, Luke Schenn to KingsDespite the tall price tag for a potential fourth-line forward and bottom-pairing defenseman, here are three reasons why the trade makes sense for the Kings.Future cap reliefKings general manager Dean Lombardi has already made it clear that this trade wouldn't have gone through if Lecavalier didn't intend to retire at the end of the season.The 35-year-old's production has been on a steady decline since he signed a five-year, $22.5-million deal with the Flyers in 2013. As Lombardi noted, this deal will allow the 1998 first overall pick a chance to end his career as a winner.With more than two years left on his contract, his impending retirement will open up an extra $2.25 million in cap space over the next two seasons, which is important with an extension still outstanding for star forward Anze Kopitar.Shoring up the defenseSchenn adds to the cap relief narrative, as he's set to clear an additional $1.8 million when his contract expires at season's end, but the 26-year-old also adds some much-needed veteran depth to the blue line.With no return in sight for Matt Greene following shoulder surgery in December, Schenn's arrival returns 2010 first-round pick Derek Forbort to the AHL, where he'll be better used than in a rotation with Christian Ehrhoff, Jamie McBain, and the team's latest acquisition.Schenn also provides another coveted right-handed shot on the back end, joining McBain and Drew Doughty in that category. And with free agency looming, his financial future could rest solely on a strong second half.Closer to dynastySeeking a third Stanley Cup in five seasons, the Kings couldn't have dreamed of a better position to find themselves in through 39 games.While their previous championship seasons came after barely squeaking into the playoffs, they currently sit atop their division by a comfortable 10-point cushion.For once, their prospective playoff matchups look favorable where they'd have home ice through the opening two rounds, likely hosting an inconsistent Central opponent (Wild, Predators, or Avalanche) before an underwhelming Pacific rival (Coyotes, Flames, or Ducks).If and when Lecavalier joins the lineup, he should be rested at the very least, after not seeing game action since Nov. 12. The center adds another Stanley Cup ring to the dressing room, and will certainly be motivated to close out his final season in style.With a long playoff run seemingly inevitable, acquiring veteran depth for just a rarely used forward (Jordan Weal) and a third-round pick before many teams have decided where they're headed could be a turning point for the Kings as they look to reign once again come June.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Johansen learned a couple of valuable lessons Wednesday.Traded in a blockbuster to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Seth Jones, Johansen now has to deal with the reality of being traded, and all that comes with it. He has to find a new place to live, needs a new driver's license, and, most importantly, he needs a new paint job for his sports court.Related: Johansen looking to take 'the next step' with PredatorsJohansen tweeted a picture of said court back in the summer. Note his words:

We can forgive Ryan Johansen for being in high demand on what proved to be a life-changing day.The 23-year-old forward was traded to the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, with young defenseman Seth Jones heading back to the Columbus Blue Jackets.With his phone constantly dinging with calls and texts, Johansen addressed the media following the official announcement, expressing both excitement and gratitude while looking forward and back."A lot of thoughts going through my head right now. (That's a) really good hockey club over there in Nashville," Johansen said on a conference call Wednesday. "This is a huge opportunity for me to take the next step in my career."Johansen had nothing but positive things to say about his time in Columbus, despite an apparently contentious relationship with new head coach John Tortorella, who benched him on more than one occasion.

Washington Capitals forward Zach Sill has been suspended two games for a boarding incident involving Adam McQuaid of the Boston Bruins, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.(Courtesy: NHL.com)As the video shows, both players were involved in a pursuit for the puck, and as McQuaid reached it first, Sill drove him forcefully from behind, causing what the league called a violent collision with the boards.The NHL notes McQuaid was not eligible to be checked by Sill on the play, with nothing but numbers in the forward's line of sight. The onus was on Sill to deliver the hit in a legal fashion, or avoid it altogether. Instead, he drove McQuaid's head into the glass, causing injury.Sill has no history of supplemental discipline, which played a part in the ruling.McQuaid was unable to return to Tuesday's game, and no update has been given on his condition.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The massive trade the Los Angeles Kings pulled off with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, acquiring Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn, was due in part to the fact Kings defenseman Matt Greene won't play again this season.Greene's been limited to only three games this season due to shoulder surgery, and he was placed on long-term injured reserve last month. Kings general manager Dean Lombardi announced during his trade conference call Wednesday that Greene won't return in 2016."Luke Schenn reminds me of Matt Greene when we first got him," Lombardi said.Added Lombardi, "We see a lot of Matt in Luke. This is a chance for (Schenn) to just come in and be himself. Similar to where Greene was when we got him."

It's trading day in the NHL.The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Seth Jones on Wednesday, the clubs announced.It's a one-for-one blockbuster, a rarity in today's salary-capped NHL. No salary is being retained in the deal, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston."Ryan is a big, young center that can score, set up goals, win faceoffs,” Predators general manager David Poile said in a statement. "He’s a No. 1 center who is still growing his game and has the size and skill that we have been looking for to match up with the best in the league."

Vincent Lecavalier's tenure with the Los Angeles Kings will be short-lived.Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, the veteran forward plans to retire at the end of the season, thereby foregoing the final two years of his contract, agent Kent Hughes told Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.Related: Flyers trade Lecavalier, Luke Schenn to KingsLecavalier, who was sent to the Kings along with defenseman Luke Schenn, carries a cap hit of $4.5 million - half of which will be retained on a prorated basis by the Flyers.The 35-year-old signed his five-year, $22.5-million contract back in 2013 after being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning, but after a nice first season with the Flyers - in which he scored 20 goals in 69 games - Lecavalier was left oft-scratched, and had appeared in only seven games this season under new head coach Dave Hakstol.With the Kings, he'll be given the chance to skate for a Stanley Cup contender, and potentially end his career on the highest of highs. And should he follow through and retire, the Kings won't be on the hook for the final two years of his deal.A veteran of 1,170 career games, Lecavalier has recorded 411 goals and 521 assists, winning a Cup with Tampa Bay back in 2004.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals have agreed to a one-year, $1-million pro-rated contract with forward Mike Richards.The 30-year-old agreed to terms Wednesday after he was given clearance to play during a meeting with the NHL earlier in the day.Richards has not played since having his 12-year, $69-million deal terminated by the Los Angeles Kings due to "a material breach of his Standard Player's Contract." The forward then filed a grievance, and the two sides came to a settlement, making him a free agent Oct. 9.Richards' contract was terminated after he was charged with allegedly attempting to cross the United States/Canada border in possession of a controlled substance.He has a court date set for Jan. 28 in Emerson, Manitoba, but Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan expressed little concern with the upcoming proceedings:

Despite a wealth of talented young forwards making an excellent first impression around the league, it's a goalie who's emerging as arguably the top candidate to be named the 2016 NHL rookie of the year.Since being called up from the AHL by the Anaheim Ducks in late November, John Gibson has performed like a legitimate No. 1 goaltender, and could very well win the Calder Trophy should he maintain his current level of play.Gibson, 22, has retained rookie status despite his previous regular and postseason experience, according to NHL guidelines:

The Philadelphia Flyers traded Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, the club announced.The Flyers received forward Jordan Weal and a 2016 third-round draft pick in exchange. Philadelphia will reportedly retain 50 percent of both Lecavalier's and Schenn's salaries, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Lecavalier, a healthy scratch for most of the season, has two years left on his contract at a cap hit of $4.5 million. He's owed $6 million in salary. The former first overall pick has an assist in seven games.The 35-year-old told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun on Tuesday that he and the Flyers were ready to move on from each other, and that he simply wanted another chance to play, no matter the role.Lecavalier plans to retire at the end of the season, and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said that was "imperative" in making the trade, which was in the works for the past month or so. "Lecavalier made it clear to us that was his intention," Lombardi added.

Kyle Okposo tells it like it is.The New York Islanders forward is playing out the final year of his contract, earning $4.5 million in salary but accounting for only $2.8 million against the salary cap, and he's thinking about his future, cloudy as it may be with unrestricted free agency on the horizon."Anybody that tells you that they don't think about it at all is lying," Okposo said, according to ESPN's Scott Burnside. "To put it bluntly. So, yeah, it's definitely in my mind, and you want to play well, and you want to help your team in any way that you can. You also want to play well personally for your own issues, for your contract's sake. Definitely, you want to play well for your family."Okposo has a daughter who will soon turn two, and he and his wife will welcome a boy in the spring, Burnside writes. But Okposo - who leads the Islanders in scoring with 31 points in 38 games - is only thinking about hockey, even though there are no talks between player and club about a potential contract extension."I'm OK though with where the things at. There's really been no dialogue, and that's OK. I'm fine with that," Okposo said. "I'm fine with just going out there and playing and trying to do everything I can to help this team. I think we have enough here to be there in June and to be the best team in the league. That's definitely my main focus. You try to put that stuff out of your mind as much as you can."Okposo and John Tavares - the Islanders captain and face of the franchise - are close friends and linemates, and Tavares admitted to relying heavily on Okposo not only on the ice but in the dressing room, as well.Okposo's only known the Islanders, drafted seventh overall in 2006, and has been with the team through the many downs, and now the ups. But he's one of the game's better power forwards, and will be a hot commodity on the free-agent market - should he get there.The Islanders have some money issues, as well, with underachieving Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin earning far too much money ($9.188 million against the cap) for their combined 31 points.Okposo, in other words, has a lot to play for. A new contract and a spot on the 2016 U.S. World Cup squad. He said he "would love to ... do anything to play on that team."He may also be playing for a Stanley Cup come June.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL announced its rosters Wednesday for the 2016 All-Star Game in Nashville. The event, which is undoubtedly filled with many deserving players - John Scott aside - will definitely be missing a few marquee stars due to its revamped four-team 3-on-3 format.From Winnipeg Jets forward Blake Wheeler to Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg, there are many deserving players who will surprisingly not be heading to Nashville for the festivities at the end of the month.Here is a fifth team that's comprised of the most notable All-Star Game omissions:ForwardsDefensemenGoaliesSidney Crosby (PIT)John Klingberg (DAL)Jake Allen (STL)Blake Wheeler (WPG)Kevin Shattenkirk (STL)Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)Evgeny Kuznetsov (WAS)John Carlson (WAS)Mike Hoffman (OTT)Artemi Panarin (CHI)Mike Cammalleri (NJD)Sidney CrosbyAlthough Crosby has struggled this season, it's difficult to imagine arguably the best player in the world not being on the roster. In fact, it's even harder to believe Crosby has only skated in one All-Star Game in his 11-year career.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators are reportedly talking trade, and discussions are intensifying, according to The Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline.Nashville's desperate for offense, averaging 2.6 goals per game, which ranks 18th in the league. Its top two leading scorers, Roman Josi and Shea Weber - who were both named All-Stars on Wednesday - are defensemen.The relationship between Blue Jackets forward Ryan Johansen and new head coach John Tortorella got off to a very rocky start, so it's possible talks could center around the 23-year-old. Johansen's signed through 2016-17 at a cap hit of $4 million, and will be a restricted free agent once his deal's up.Columbus, meanwhile, could use help on defense, and the Predators boast a deep blue line. The Blue Jackets have allowed a NHL-worst 131 goals. There's some smoke, in other words, to what could be a rather massive fire.It was also revealed over the weekend that Blue Jackets prospect Kerby Rychel had requested a trade, so he could be involved, too.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames will be without Jiri Hudler for a week, head coach Bob Hartley said Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Roger Millions.Hudler's lower-body injury, which forced him from Saturday's game and caused him to miss Tuesday's game, is a groin ailment, so the Flames are exercising caution."Huds will be off the ice for basically a week," Hartley said. "We have no target dates yet on his return."It's been a disappointing first half for Hudler, after he exploded for a career-high 76 points last season, his first in Calgary. The 32-year-old has five goals and 15 assists in 35 games, and is headed for unrestricted free agency this summer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Remember Tomas Fleischmann's hot start? Neither do the Montreal Canadiens.Fleischmann, who had 15 points in his first 25 games, has only a goal and an assist in his last 16 contests, and he'll watch from the press box as a healthy scratch Wednesday when his teammates face the New Jersey Devils.

The Dallas Stars' dynamic duo is no more. For one day, at least.The day after being benched in a 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were split up at practice by head coach Lindy Ruff.

The New York Rangers expect to have Chris Kreider back in the lineup Saturday, but his return won't bounce Jayson Megna from the lineup.Kreider's dealing with a hand injury, but was on the ice Wednesday and was able to grip his stick with both hands, and practice his stickhandling. A year after scoring 21 goals, he's been a disappointment this season, with only six goals and 12 assists through 39 games.Megna was recalled from the American Hockey League when Kreider was hurt. He scored a goal and added an assist Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, so he's not going anywhere."There's no doubt that (Megna's) in the lineup next game," head coach Alain Vigneault said.That means two other Rangers forwards will have to sit against the Washington Capitals.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a new year, and 2016 is shaping up to be a banner one in the NHL. The Florida Panthers are once again Cinderella, the Washington Capitals are historically good, and the Chicago Blackhawks are rounding into Stanley Cup form.Let's rank.1. Washington Capitals

The Ottawa Senators will get two much-needed boosts to their lineup against the red-hot Florida Panthers on Thursday.Milan Michalek will return from a 16-game absence due to a fractured finger.The 31-year-old forward has not played since Dec. 1. He has five goals and three assists in 24 games this season.Mika Zibanejad will also be in the lineup Thursday despite leaving Monday's game against the St. Louis Blues after taking a stick to the face.

The NHL announced its four-team roster Wednesday for the 2016 All-Star Game in Nashville.The lineup for the event's new 3-on-3 format - which takes place at the Bridgestone Arena on Jan. 31 - is very interesting. The Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, and hometown Predators are all very well represented, while there are definitely some notable omissions.Here's how each of the teams will look:Atlantic DivisionHead coach: Gerard Gallant (Florida Panthers)ForwardsDefensemenGoaliesPatrice Bergeron (BOS)Aaron Ekblad (FLA)Ben Bishop (TBL)Jaromir Jagr (FLA)*Erik Karlsson (OTT)Roberto Luongo (FLA)Leo Komarov (TOR)P.K. Subban (MTL)Dylan Larkin (DET)Ryan O'Reilly (BUF)Steven Stamkos (TBL)* CaptainMetropolitan DivisionHead coach: Barry Trotz (Washington Capitals)ForwardsDefensemenGoaliesNicklas Backstrom (WAS)Justin Faulk (CAR)Braden Holtby (WAS)Claude Giroux (PHI)Ryan McDonagh (NYR)Cory Schneider (NJD)Evgeni Malkin (PIT)Kris Letang (PIT)Alex Ovechkin (WAS)*Brandon Saad (CBJ)John Tavares (NYI)* CaptainCentral DivisionHead coach: Lindy Ruff (Dallas Stars)ForwardsDefensemenGoaliesJamie Benn (DAL)Dustin Byfuglien (WPG)Devan Dubnyk (MIN)Matt Duchene (COL)Roman Josi (NAS)Pekka Rinne (NAS)Patrick Kane (CHI)*Shea Weber (NAS)Tyler Seguin (DAL)Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)Jonathan Toews (CHI)* CaptainPacific DivisionHead coach: Darryl Sutter (Los Angeles Kings)ForwardsDefensemenGoaliesJohnny Gaudreau (CAL)Brent Burns (SJS)John Gibson (ANA)Taylor Hall (EDM)Drew Doughty (LAK)Jonathan Quick (LAK)Joe Pavelski (SJS)Mark Giordano (CAL)Corey Perry (ANA)John Scott (ARI)*Daniel Sedin (VAN)* CaptainNotable players left off the rosters include: Sidney Crosby, Henrik Lundqvist, John Klingberg, Anze Kopitar, Max Pacioretty, and Henrik Sedin to name a few.The league also unveiled slick Nashville-themed jerseys earlier Wednesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals forward Zach Sill will have a hearing Wednesday with the NHL's Department of Player Safety for boarding Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid.McQuaid left Tuesday's game and did not return after taking a hard hit into the boards from Sill.No penalty was called on the play.The 27-year-old journeyman has not recorded a point in four games with the Capitals this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL unveiled its All-Star Game jerseys Wednesday, and they have Nashville's unique music culture written all over them.

Here is theScore's NHL daily fantasy offering for Wednesday, January 6: