Jack Hughes corralled a pass in the slot, all alone early in a three-on-three overtime period, th...

Jack Hughes corralled a pass in the slot, all alone early in a three-on-three overtime period, the outcome of the gold-medal game on his stick. The Team USA forward watched Jordan Binnington frantically slide across the crease, opening his five-hole. Hughes knew where to shoot and executed.Hughes, whose older brother, Quinn, scored an OT goal to send the United States to a semifinal game in what turned out to be an epic men's hockey tournament in Italy, became an Olympic hero in that moment. He's the author of the 2026 "Golden Goal," the second coming of Mike Eruzione - who famously led the underdog Americans to gold in 1980 - and the bloody-mouthed dude responsible for breaking millions of hearts across Canada."I can't imagine what he was feeling in the box there at the end of the third," U.S. captain Auston Matthews said postgame on the Canadian broadcast, referring to Jack Hughes' high-sticking penalty with less than five minutes left in regulation.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"He's an incredible player, an incredible person, and that's just a big-time play at the end."The 2-1 game played inside Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Sunday featured some of the greatest hockey of all time. The sport's two national powerhouses, filled to the brim with future members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, fought for every inch of ice for nearly 62 minutes. Canada blew a handful of glorious scoring opportunities in the third period, while the U.S. hung around long enough to capitalize on a grade-A chance of its own.Canada captured gold at three of the previous five Winter Games that featured NHL players. The Americans lost in the Olympic final in 2002 and 2010, failed to reach the final at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and fell to Canada in OT at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. Now? They're atop the hockey world - champions at last.<h3>How the U.S. won gold</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823192/cropped_GettyImages-2262970375.jpg?ts=1771779493" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823192/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262970375.jpg?ts=1771779493 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823192/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262970375.jpg?ts=1771779493 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823192/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262970375.jpg?ts=1771779493 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823192/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262970375.jpg?ts=1771779493 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823192/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262970375.jpg?ts=1771779493 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>That was a narrative-flipping performance from goalie Connor Hellebuyck.The three-time Vezina Trophy winner, who entered Sunday with an underwhelming big-game resume, not only stopped a tremendous volume of shots (41 of 42) but also outdueled Canadian shooters in high-leverage moments. Hellebuyck faced a whopping 27 shots from the slot, a breakaway each from Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini, and a flurry of nervy activity in the second period during a 5-on-3 power play for Canada.No save compares to the last-ditch effort made on a Devon Toews chip at the goalmouth early in the third. Hellebuyck, a so-called "big and boring" netminder not known for his athleticism, lunged to knock the puck out of harm's way with the paddle of his stick. Stone cold - as if he'd practiced the exact movements countless times as a kid in road hockey equipment.As the game wore on, Canada kept missing the net, perhaps in response to Hellebuyck's intimidating positioning and rebound control. He outsmarted three of the top four NHL scorers in McDavid, Celebrini, and Nathan MacKinnon.The U.S. started the tournament slowly, geared up in the quarters, took care of business in the semis against Slovakia, and peaked in the final game.The same can be said for Jack Hughes, who began his first Games on the fourth line. He bought into coach Mike Sullivan's plan for him, played his heart out as a secret weapon in the bottom six, and was rewarded with a shift early in OT during the final. The electric Devils superstar overcame several long-term injuries in the years leading up to his golden moment in Milan.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823202/cropped_GettyImages-2262509025.jpg?ts=1771785517" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823202/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262509025.jpg?ts=1771785517 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823202/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262509025.jpg?ts=1771785517 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823202/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262509025.jpg?ts=1771785517 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823202/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262509025.jpg?ts=1771785517 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823202/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262509025.jpg?ts=1771785517 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</figcaption></figure>Matthews, maligned for years in Toronto for not rising to the occasion in the NHL playoffs, finished with seven points. He put on a defensive clinic Sunday."It doesn't matter what anybody says now," Jack Hughes <a href="https://x.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/2025631907468259423">told</a> reporters. "Auston Matthews is a winner. Auston Matthews is an Olympic gold medalist."Other standouts on the most talented American team ever assembled included leading scorer and No. 1 defenseman Quinn Hughes (who, along with Hellebuyck, was named an Olympic All-Star), top-line forwards Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk, and heart-and-soul third-line center Dylan Larkin.Seventeen of the 25 Olympic team members spent at least one season at the U.S. National Team Development Program in Michigan. The NTDP, a one-of-a-kind incubator in the sport, brings together the top teenage players from across the country with the dual goal of developing long-time NHLers and fostering a national team environment. It breeds <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3215032">off-ice friendships and on-ice chemistry</a> and helps build a unified U.S. culture and playing style.That family vibe shined through in the moments after Jack Hughes' goal, as Matthews, Zach Werenski, and Matthew Tkachuk trotted around the rink holding Johnny Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey proudly. The late Gaudreau didn't play at the NTDP, but he was a Team USA regular and close friend to many Olympians.The Americans were a perfect 17-for-17 on the penalty kill and dominated in the faceoff circle. Vincent Trocheck, a heavily scrutinized selection ahead of the Games, saw plenty of shorthanded ice while winning 66.7% of his total draws."I'm pretty f-----g proud, I'll be honest. Yeah, we heard all the talk, that (me and fellow struggling Rangers forward J.T. Miller) shouldn't be here," Trocheck <a href="https://x.com/MollieeWalkerr/status/2025617526663655719">told</a> reporters. "We had a job to do, and it was to be good penalty kill guys, faceoff guys, character guys. We took that role, and we ran with it."Team USA general manager Bill Guerin was unapologetic in the face of widespread criticism ahead of the Olympics. No Cole Caufield, no Jason Robertson, no Adam Fox, no problem, apparently, as the U.S. grinded its way to glory in a high-paced, physical, dump-and-chase tournament.<h3>What silver means for Canada</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823220/cropped_GettyImages-2262518616.jpg?ts=1771793394" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823220/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262518616.jpg?ts=1771793394 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823220/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262518616.jpg?ts=1771793394 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823220/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262518616.jpg?ts=1771793394 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823220/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262518616.jpg?ts=1771793394 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823220/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262518616.jpg?ts=1771793394 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Canada controlled the second and third periods and, on the whole, strung together a gold-worthy performance Sunday. A lack of execution in gut-check moments, which wasn't an issue during the team's five other games in Italy, ultimately did coach Jon Cooper's squad in.Hellebuyck deserves a ton of credit, in general, and especially for the diving stick save on Toews. But there's a long list of what-ifs that will haunt Canada's players and coaches, plus the millions who watched intently in bars and living rooms from across the Atlantic Ocean, for the foreseeable future.What if Canada had turned one of many excellent looks on its five-on-three in the second period to even the score earlier in the game? What if, with 10 minutes left in regulation and the game knotted at 1-1, MacKinnon didn't strike the side of the net with the puck despite being uncovered and staring down a yawning cage? What if the U.S. actually got penalized for having too many men on the ice soon after? What if MacKinnon didn't miss the net again later in the third? What if? How come? Why?MacKinnon, the consensus No. 2 player in the world behind McDavid, had a strange tournament. He didn't play poorly and finished with seven points, sniping the game-winning goal during a come-from-behind victory over the Finns in the semis. But he also didn't look entirely himself, having to skate on McDavid's wing instead of driving his own line and then whiffing in the final.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823221/cropped_GettyImages-2262961078.jpg?ts=1771793598" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823221/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262961078.jpg?ts=1771793598 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823221/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262961078.jpg?ts=1771793598 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823221/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262961078.jpg?ts=1771793598 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823221/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262961078.jpg?ts=1771793598 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823221/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262961078.jpg?ts=1771793598 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>There'll be plenty of blame placed on GM Doug Armstrong in the wake of the loss, which is a little unfair given that Canada was inches away from gold after thoroughly outplaying its opponent in a final that required extra time.That said, complaints about Armstrong not selecting another dynamic defenseman - Matthew Schaefer or Evan Bouchard - aren't without merit. Canada was down to three offensively gifted blue-liners in Toews, Cale Makar, and Thomas Harley after Josh Morrissey went down with an injury in the opener. The puck died on the sticks of the club's depth defensemen, namely Travis Sanheim and Colton Parayko, far too many times in the knockout stage.Canada was forced to play its last two games without second-line center and undisputed leader Sidney Crosby, which sucks for the 38-year-old on a personal level, not to mention it removed an unflappable killer from the forward group. Would Crosby have missed chance after chance?McDavid, named tournament MVP after setting a record for most points by an NHLer in a single Olympics, did everything in his power throughout six commanding outings. He wasn't the problem. The 19-year-old Celebrini, also a tournament All-Star, was absolutely incredible - not the issue. Binnington played about as well as he's capable of - not the goat here.The top of the international hockey pyramid has never been more crowded. After emerging victorious at the 2010 Olympics, 2014 Olympics, 2016 World Cup, and 2025 4 Nations, Canada was bound to lose at some point during best-on-best competition, either by being outplayed or not getting all the bounces in a tight final.There's no silver lining when the result is a silver medal. Still, no national summit is necessary here. Just a few days to grieve a devastating loss.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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How Team USA won men's hockey gold - and what silver means for Canada

The hockey world saw this coming - two powerhouses meeting in the gold-medal game at the 2026 Oly...

The hockey world saw this coming - two powerhouses meeting in the gold-medal game at the 2026 Olympics. But nobody predicted the chaotic lead-up.Team Canada cruised through the round robin, outscoring opponents 20-3, then narrowly beat Czechia and Finland. Trailing for long stretches, it won the quarterfinal match in overtime and the semifinal with a mere 35 seconds left.Team USA won all three round-robin games, too, albeit in less convincing fashion. Sweden took the U.S. to OT in the quarters while Cinderella Slovakia proved to be only a minor obstacle in a still-entertaining semifinal.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823038/cropped_GettyImages-2242018642.jpg?ts=1771680564" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823038/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242018642.jpg?ts=1771680564 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823038/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242018642.jpg?ts=1771680564 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823038/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242018642.jpg?ts=1771680564 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823038/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242018642.jpg?ts=1771680564 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823038/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242018642.jpg?ts=1771680564 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Yuri Kadobnov / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>And now, on Sunday, in the final sporting event of the Winter Games in Italy, the next-generation juggernaut will attempt to dethrone the longstanding incumbent in the first gold-medal tilt featuring NHLers in 12 years. Canada, champion at three of the previous five NHL-era Games, defeated USA in the 2002 and 2010 gold-medal games. Most recently, the Canadians outlasted the Americans in the title game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. It fittingly needed OT.The American roster is loaded with players who grew up idolizing the 1980 gold medal-winning team through the 2004 movie "Miracle." Canadian players grew up on captain Sidney Crosby's iconic "Golden Goal" at the 2010 Games.It's a dream matchup on a dream stage. Hockey bliss.Here are four battles that'll determine the gold-medal winner.<h3>McDavid line vs. Slavin-Faber pairing</h3>Connor McDavid, the most evolved player in hockey history, has flat-out dominated in his long-awaited Olympic debut. He's racked up two goals and 11 assists in five games to set a record for most points by an NHLer at a single Olympics, while contributing <a href="https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/2025004485408383127">11.6 scoring chances</a> per contest.In short, an all-time great in the prime of his career is on an all-time heater in a high-pressure environment. Yet it will mean nothing to McDavid if he doesn't get a gold medal placed around his neck. While McDavid's personal trophy case is overflowing with hardware and he scored the title-clinching goal at the 4 Nations, he's unfulfilled. At 29, he has zero Stanley Cups and may never get another chance to win Olympic gold.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823039/cropped_GettyImages-2261908473.jpg?ts=1771680952" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823039/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261908473.jpg?ts=1771680952 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823039/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261908473.jpg?ts=1771680952 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823039/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261908473.jpg?ts=1771680952 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823039/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261908473.jpg?ts=1771680952 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823039/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261908473.jpg?ts=1771680952 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Xinhua News Agency / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon were double-shifted in the semifinal. The tanks will be emptied on Sunday - and for good reason. The U.S., like every other nation, can't match the speed, skill, and playmaking that No. 1 line of first overall picks presents every single shift. It's almost unfair.Canada's lineup has taken hits in the tournament. Top-four defenseman Josh Morrissey, injured in the opener, has been ruled out for the final, while second-line center Crosby, injured in the quarters, is a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3482905" href="https://thescore.com/news/3482905">game-time decision</a>.This places additional pressure on the Celebrini-McDavid-MacKinnon trio to produce, though the rest of the roster is filled with star talents (Cale Makar and Mitch Marner) and Cup winners (Mark Stone and Sam Reinhart) fully capable of breaking through. Somebody needs to have the game of their life.If McDavid's line happens to falter, Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber will likely be why. Slavin, the engine of the Americans' shutdown pair, was a menace at 4 Nations, frequently killing dangerous sequences led by McDavid. He's incredibly proficient at keeping tight gaps, reading passes, and poking pucks.Slavin started the tournament slow but, similar to the U.S. squad, has improved game to game and looks primed to peak in the gold-medal clash.<h3>Canada power play vs. USA draw winning</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823040/cropped_GettyImages-2261817816.jpg?ts=1771681033" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823040/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261817816.jpg?ts=1771681033 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823040/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261817816.jpg?ts=1771681033 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823040/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261817816.jpg?ts=1771681033 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823040/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261817816.jpg?ts=1771681033 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823040/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261817816.jpg?ts=1771681033 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Scoring the first goal in a typical elimination game is massive because it starts the clock on one team's demise. Panic sets in. In a gold-medal game, where the stakes can't get any higher? The first goal is incalculably huge.The Canadians enter Sunday's game with the knowledge that a U.S. penalty gives them a tremendous opportunity to put something on the board. The laughably stacked first power play unit of McDavid, MacKinnon, Reinhart, Makar, and one of Crosby or Celebrini has led Canada to a tournament-best success rate of 43.8%, which somehow undersells how lethal it's looked.If that unit can get sustained offensive zone time, it will generate high-quality looks for some of the finest shooters in the sport. That's a fact.What's also true: a lost faceoff can deflate a power play, and the U.S. has been destroying the competition in the faceoff circle in Milan. Dylan Larkin paces all Olympians with a red-hot 76.3% success rate, while teammates Vincent Trocheck (69.6%) and Brock Nelson (62.8%) also rank in the top five.TV broadcasts tend to overvalue faceoffs. There are hundreds of puck battles waged over the course of a 60-minute contest, yet the ones starting the play receive most of the commentary, inflating their overall importance.However, within the context of the gold-medal game, where all battles carry great consequence and teams dial into set plays, every single faceoff's value skyrockets. Canada can't expect to win gold if it can't win at least half of the total draws, and a few key ones on the power play.<h3>U.S. blue line vs. Canada forecheck</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823036/cropped_GettyImages-2262706219.jpg?ts=1771677375" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823036/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262706219.jpg?ts=1771677375 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823036/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262706219.jpg?ts=1771677375 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823036/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262706219.jpg?ts=1771677375 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823036/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262706219.jpg?ts=1771677375 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823036/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262706219.jpg?ts=1771677375 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The American blue line is overflowing with highly effective players. Some rely on skating ability and puck skills, others on length and smarts. But all seven efficiently advance the puck on offense and reliably kill attacks on defense.The crown jewel is Quinn Hughes, who controls the flow of a hockey game like nobody else on the planet. The Minnesota Wild superstar leads all U.S. skaters and Olympic defensemen in points and was the overtime hero in the quarterfinals. He's logging 23:05 a game - four minutes more than any other American - while outplaying Canadian contemporary Makar. (Are we still sure Makar is the clear-cut best defenseman in the world?)The U.S. will have one or both of Hughes and Zach Werenski, another perennial Norris Trophy contender, on the ice for the majority of the gold-medal game. Canada simply can't compete with that one-two punch of elite, play-driving defensemen and must be OK with occasionally being on its heels.The quick and rangy American defense corps is difficult to weave through off the rush and hard to beat in races to retrieve dump-ins. Yet Canada, with its abundance of dogged forwards, presents a unique forechecking challenge.Coach Jon Cooper put Sam Bennett between Brad Marchand and Tom Wilson in the semifinal to form an intriguing all-rat line. The trio immediately impacted the game and will be tasked with bringing functional physicality, momentum-shifting energy, and high-danger scoring chances Sunday.Brandon Hagel and Seth Jarvis, two feisty wingers further down the lineup, own the speed, tenacity, and two-way instincts to also test the U.S. breakout.<h3>Binnington vs. Hellebuyck</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823033/cropped_GettyImages-2262672970.jpg?ts=1771672173" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823033/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262672970.jpg?ts=1771672173 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823033/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262672970.jpg?ts=1771672173 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823033/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262672970.jpg?ts=1771672173 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823033/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262672970.jpg?ts=1771672173 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/823033/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262672970.jpg?ts=1771672173 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Elsa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Beyond the hype and tension around Sunday's showdown is a hockey game. Goaltending always factors into the result, and the position's outsized importance becomes even more pronounced in a do-or-die setting.Jordan Binnington enters the final with a .914 save percentage through four games. His run in Milan has been defined by timely saves, helpful puck-handling, and juicy rebounds. It's gone more or less as expected.Connor Hellebuyck's strung together a tournament-leading .947 in four games. He's flexed his so-called "big and boring" style in the U.S. crease - so technically and mechanically brilliant - to also live up to expectations.Both goalies are 32. Both are irrationally confident. Both are currently backstopping non-playoff teams in the NHL. Both reflect the state of goaltending in their respective countries. Both desperately need the victory.Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart Trophy winner with three Vezinas, has failed to rise to the occasion in the playoffs throughout his career. It may sound harsh, but his reputation is on the line. Hellebuyck needs to finally win something.Binnington, a 2019 Cup champion and 4 Nations winner, is having the worst season of his career. The reality: His country, the proudest hockey nation in the world, is relying on him to go save for save with Hellebuyck to keep the Americans off the top step of the podium.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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4 battles that'll decide the gold-medal winner in men's hockey

Canada is off to the men's hockey gold-medal game after defeating Finland on Friday in a compelli...

Canada is off to the men's hockey gold-medal game after defeating Finland on Friday in a compelling, come-from-behind 3-2 victory in Milan. Here are our biggest takeaways from what turned out to be a thrilling semifinal showdown.<h3>Canada rewarded for trusting process</h3>Finland executed a nearly flawless game plan for an underdog playing in a do-or-die game, dictating the style of play from puck drop to the final buzzer.The Finns forced Canada to consistently dump the puck in by holding firm at the defensive blue line. They insulated goalie Juuse Saros - who was terrific in a 36-save loss - by packing bodies and sticks into every conceivable passing and shooting lane. Saros didn't spit out many rebounds, and the ones he did were quickly cleared by a defender. The Finns won a discorporate number of key faceoffs and puck battles all over the ice, especially early on.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822935/cropped_GettyImages-2262125380.jpg?ts=1771613040" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822935/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262125380.jpg?ts=1771613040 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822935/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262125380.jpg?ts=1771613040 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822935/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262125380.jpg?ts=1771613040 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822935/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262125380.jpg?ts=1771613040 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822935/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262125380.jpg?ts=1771613040 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>But the Canadians, led by a supercharged top line of Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, and Nathan MacKinnon, kept pressing, fighting through the muck created by Finland, and pushing on the defensive wall. Late in the second period, they finally capitalized on the power play, bringing the score to 2-1 in an extremely tense battle.Sam Reinhart, one of the six original players named to Team Canada, was credited with the goal, which was rather fitting. Arguably Canada's most disappointing player in Italy until that moment, Reinhart needed that tip-in as much as Canada's bench and the country's stressed fans needed it.The same pace-pushing mentality continued ahead of the equalizer by Shea Theodore midway through the third period and through the eventual game-winner from MacKinnon with 35 seconds remaining. Canada didn't let up all game despite the Finns' annoyingly consistent stinginess.Jon Cooper's team trusted the process, and it ultimately paid off.<h3>MacKinnon's first signature moment</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822952/cropped_GettyImages-2262672197.jpg?ts=1771617173" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822952/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262672197.jpg?ts=1771617173 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822952/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262672197.jpg?ts=1771617173 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822952/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262672197.jpg?ts=1771617173 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822952/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262672197.jpg?ts=1771617173 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822952/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262672197.jpg?ts=1771617173 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Captain Sidney Crosby missed Friday's game due to injury, leaving leadership and production voids. Enter MacKinnon, a fellow native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and, at 30 years old, the odds-on favorite to win the 2026 Hart Trophy.Make no mistake: MacKinnon didn't have an exceptional game overall. However, the Avalanche superstar executed in the clutch by drawing a penalty and then beating Saros with a choppy one-timer. It was the first signature Olympic moment for the consensus No. 2 player in the world. Better late than never, eh?Whether an injury is holding MacKinnon back, or he can't get into a proper groove for other reasons, No. 29's had a relatively underwhelming first Winter Games. The fact that he hasn't been centering his own line for the bulk of the tournament says a lot about how he and other Canadian forwards have looked shift to shift.The elite of the elite find a way to contribute in defining moments. Canadians hope the winner versus Finland isn't MacKinnon's final legacy-building play in Milan.<h3>Cooper adjusts, rewards right players</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822953/cropped_GettyImages-2262125584.jpg?ts=1771617242" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822953/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262125584.jpg?ts=1771617242 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822953/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262125584.jpg?ts=1771617242 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822953/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262125584.jpg?ts=1771617242 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822953/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262125584.jpg?ts=1771617242 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822953/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262125584.jpg?ts=1771617242 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Celebrini was the best player on the ice Friday. In fact, for about half the game, he was the only Canadian infiltrating Finland's structure and firing slot shots on net.The 19-year-old with ice in his veins finished with a game-high nine scoring chances, according to <a href="https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/2024916179396034772/">data tracked</a> by hockey analyst Dimitri Filipovic, while assisting on the game-winner. Cooper rode Celebrini, the feel-good story of the tournament, to a team-high 25:53.Celebrini, McDavid, and MacKinnon were rightfully tossed over the boards for the vast majority of Canada's offensive zone faceoffs. Early on, Theodore and Travis Sanheim shared the ice with the McDavid line in those situations, which came back to haunt Canada, as Sanheim - who's by no means a triggerman - failed to convert multiple grade-A opportunities.Cooper adjusted his deployment as the game progressed, with top-pair blue-liners Cale Makar and Devon Toews linking up with the McDavid line in high-leverage moments. The result: McDavid and Makar also played 25-plus minutes, MacKinnon logged 21:52, and Toews skated for 22:14. The sixth Canadian to hit 20 minutes? Young defenseman Thomas Harley, who helped power the transition game, at 20:44.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822956/cropped_GettyImages-2262692567.jpg?ts=1771617701" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822956/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262692567.jpg?ts=1771617701 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822956/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262692567.jpg?ts=1771617701 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822956/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262692567.jpg?ts=1771617701 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822956/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262692567.jpg?ts=1771617701 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822956/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262692567.jpg?ts=1771617701 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Xavier Laine / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Shortening the bench with such game-breaking talent available seems like a no-brainer. But a coach will often begin double-shifting his top performers only when it's too late.I also liked how Cooper trusted the Brad Marchand-Sam Bennett-Tom Wilson line on defensive zone draws. That line didn't play a ton overall, but when it did, the Canadians matched the Finns' physicality, and the puck tended to move in the right direction - away from goalie Jordan Binnington.Speaking of Binnington: The Blues netminder once again looked shaky at times and once again emerged victorious in the end.That type of lopsided game - Canada outshot Finland 39-17 - can be a grind for the underworked, cold goalie. Binnington, who allowed a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal, made just enough big saves to keep the game within reach for his superstar teammates.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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3 takeaways after Canada rallies to beat Finland, advances to play for gold

Following Wednesday's outstanding quarterfinals, which featured three overtime thrillers, only fo...

Following Wednesday's outstanding quarterfinals, which featured three overtime thrillers, only four teams remain in the Olympic men's hockey tournament. Next up: semifinal Friday, with gold-medal co-favorite Canada facing Finland and co-favorite United States taking on Slovakia. Let's break down the matchups.<h3>Canada vs. Finland</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822721/cropped_GettyImages-2262386032.jpg?ts=1771516519" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822721/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262386032.jpg?ts=1771516519 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822721/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262386032.jpg?ts=1771516519 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822721/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262386032.jpg?ts=1771516519 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822721/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262386032.jpg?ts=1771516519 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822721/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262386032.jpg?ts=1771516519 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Catherine Steenkeste / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The quarters gave Canada its first true test after a dominant round-robin run (3-0-0 record, plus-17 goal differential). The Jon Cooper-coached squad looked like a one-line team for long stretches and trailed Czechia for 21 minutes of game time, but eventually pulled out a nail-biting 4-3 OT win.The question emerging from the imperfect do-or-die contest: Were Canada's stumbles against the Czechs a hint of what's ahead or a harmless bit of adversity every juggernaut needs to overcome? The smart money's on the latter, given the layers of talent and Stanley Cup pedigree on the 25-man roster. Plus, if Canada's depth falters, no other nation can compete with a nuclear option of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, and Cale Makar - an elite group lethal at even strength or on the man advantage.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>McDavid alone is an elimination-game trump card nobody else can play.Captain Sidney Crosby and stud defenseman Josh Morrissey are dealing with injuries, though Cooper <a href="https://x.com/MollieeWalkerr/status/2024452101212946467">told reporters</a> Thursday that neither has been definitively ruled out for Friday's contest. Crosby is Canada's undisputed leader and remains a stabilizing presence on a two-way second line, while Morrissey's slick mobility and puck-moving abilities are vital on the second pair.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822722/cropped_GettyImages-2261817265.jpg?ts=1771517200" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822722/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261817265.jpg?ts=1771517200 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822722/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261817265.jpg?ts=1771517200 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822722/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261817265.jpg?ts=1771517200 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822722/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261817265.jpg?ts=1771517200 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822722/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261817265.jpg?ts=1771517200 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julien De Rosa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Finns, who snuck by Switzerland in the quarters, can learn a lot from the Canada-Czechia showdown. Czechia limited Canada's attack by sitting back in the neutral zone and forcing dump-ins, then packed the high-danger scoring area with bodies. The conservative approach led to blocked shots and counterattacks.That's how less skilled teams win at best-on-best tournaments, and the Finns are armed with a whole crew of skaters capable of disrupting Canada's flow. Otherwise, workhorse defensemen Miro Heiskanen (26:21 a night) and Esa Lindell (24:12) must minimize McDavid. Up front, premier forwards Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Roope Hintz, and Artturi Lehkonen will need to capitalize on grade A chances, which may be difficult as Canada tightens up defensively.Canadian player to watch: Forward Seth Jarvis has recorded one assist in 31 total minutes across three games. But anybody who's been paying close attention to Jarvis' shifts will know the winger's been zooming around with purpose. He looks primed for an elevated role and a breakthrough moment.Finnish player to watch: Forward Joel Armia is quietly having an awesome tournament. The battle-winning fourth-line winger has four points, leads the team with 15 shots, and bagged a short-handed goal against rival Sweden.Top subplot: Canada's Jordan Binnington has played about as well as anybody could reasonably expect a goalie with terrible NHL numbers to play. One nitpick from his three starts: Rebound control. Can Binnington clean up his act against Finland, or do juicy rebounds start bleeding into goals against?Prediction: 3-2 win for Canada.<h3>United States vs. Slovakia</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822684/cropped_GettyImages-2261832556.jpg?ts=1771510355" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822684/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261832556.jpg?ts=1771510355 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822684/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261832556.jpg?ts=1771510355 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822684/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261832556.jpg?ts=1771510355 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822684/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261832556.jpg?ts=1771510355 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822684/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261832556.jpg?ts=1771510355 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> RvS.Media/Robert Hradil / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>After gradually gearing up in the round robin, Team USA delivered its most impressive performance of the Olympics in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win against Sweden.The Americans showcased their strengths throughout the contest. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck was tremendous, turning aside 28 of 29 shots to enter the semis with a tournament-leading .956 save percentage. The enviable defense corps also stifled the Swedes' offensive efforts, using dynamic skating, exceptional range, and smooth puck skills to kill rush attacks, retrieve dump-ins efficiently, and break through forechecks.Quinn Hughes, sidelined by an injury during last year's 4 Nations Face-Off, is flourishing in our first time seeing the superstar blue-liner in a best-on-best setting. The 26-year-old nonchalantly sniped the OT winner against Sweden and leads the U.S. in ice time by a whopping four minutes, logging 23:31 per game.Slovakia, a mid-tier hockey nation, has punched above its weight in Milan in large part due to standout performances from three NHLers aged 22 or younger. Montreal's Juraj Slafkovsky tops the team in points, while St. Louis' Dalibor Dvorsky has frequently showcased his weapon of a shot. On the back end, New Jersey's Simon Nemec has been a scoring chance-generating machine."All the guys are heroes; doesn't matter if you play one minute or 20 minutes, everyone chips in," Slovakia coach Vladimir Orszagh <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/olympics/slovakia-shows-mettle-grit-to-earn-chance-at-olympic-medal">told reporters</a> after beating Germany in the quarters. "We are a band of brothers who work for the team, work for each other, and are living our dream. We are still living (it)."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822685/cropped_GettyImages-2261771123.jpg?ts=1771510561" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822685/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261771123.jpg?ts=1771510561 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822685/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261771123.jpg?ts=1771510561 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822685/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261771123.jpg?ts=1771510561 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822685/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261771123.jpg?ts=1771510561 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822685/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261771123.jpg?ts=1771510561 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> RvS.Media/Monika Majer / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>American player to watch: Forward Jack Hughes has been buzzing all tournament despite logging what amounts to third-line minutes. Expect the electric playmaker's usage to start matching his talent level beginning Friday.Slovak player to watch: Goalie Samuel Hlavaj will need to stand on his head. The 24-year-old AHLer has been stellar, most notably stopping 39 Finnish shots in Slovakia's opener. However, he hasn't faced a team as deep as the U.S.Top subplot: The U.S. penalty kill is 10-for-10. Can Slovakia's power play, led by the three youngsters and proven to be a serious threat most nights, crack the code? Special teams can swing high-leverage games.Prediction: 4-1 win for USA.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Olympic semifinals preview: Storylines, players to watch, predictions

Canada escaped Wednesday's nail-biter of a quarterfinal game against Czechia with a 4-3 overtime ...

Canada escaped Wednesday's nail-biter of a quarterfinal game against Czechia with a 4-3 overtime victory to advance to the men's hockey semifinal at the 2026 Olympics in Italy. Here are our biggest takeaways.<h3>Depth (finally) comes through</h3>Canadian forward Nick Suzuki kept a play alive deep in Czechia's zone through sheer hard work and determination. Moments later, he laid a perfect tip on a point shot to tie the game 3-3 with under four minutes left in regulation.Mitch Marner, another second-tier option in a stacked forward group, waltzed through all three Czech defenders 80 seconds into overtime and roofed a backhand. His epic game-winner ended an instant classic.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Both clutch sequences will live on in Olympic lore if Canada ultimately wins gold. Canada certainly wouldn't have a semifinal date with the Finns on Friday if Suzuki and Marner hadn't risen to the occasion.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822619/cropped_GettyImages-2261800692.jpg?ts=1771450341" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822619/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261800692.jpg?ts=1771450341 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822619/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261800692.jpg?ts=1771450341 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822619/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261800692.jpg?ts=1771450341 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822619/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261800692.jpg?ts=1771450341 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822619/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261800692.jpg?ts=1771450341 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Yet it's difficult to look at the totality of Wednesday's game and give two thumbs up to the performances of Suzuki, Marner, and many other Canadian forwards.Top-liners Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, and Nathan MacKinnon carried the offense for the bulk of the game. The superstar trio combined for <a href="https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/2024195007356219604">16 scoring chances</a> in all situations, whereas the other 10 forwards contributed just 10 total. The rush attack down the lineup was virtually nonexistent.Also: Mark Stone's neutral-zone turnover led to Czechia's first goal in the first period. Suzuki rang the post on an open net in the second with the game tied 2-2. Brad Marchand, Tom Wilson, Brandon Hagel, and Sam Reinhart provided little to no value on the offensive side of the puck at any point.The superstars are expected to lead Canada. But the gap between their contributions and the contributions from players on lines two through four can't be this wide Friday. The Finns boast a significantly deeper roster than Czechia and are more than capable of winning the minutes when McDavid's line isn't out there.Of course, what's unique about a short tournament is that players can redeem themselves with one meaningful sequence - like Suzuki and Marner on Wednesday - and never look substandard the rest of the way.<h3>Crosby's injury looms large</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822620/cropped_GettyImages-2262331992.jpg?ts=1771450720" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822620/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262331992.jpg?ts=1771450720 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822620/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262331992.jpg?ts=1771450720 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822620/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262331992.jpg?ts=1771450720 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822620/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262331992.jpg?ts=1771450720 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822620/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262331992.jpg?ts=1771450720 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> EyesWideOpen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Czechia was physical from the opening puck drop, and its aggressive style delivered a massive blow to Canada. Captain and second-line center Sidney Crosby left in the second period with an apparent right leg injury after taking a hit from Radko Gudas and then a second check from both Gudas and Martin Necas.Canada coach Jon Cooper was unable to provide a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3481011" href="https://thescore.com/news/3481011">clear update</a> on Crosby during his postgame media availability. Crosby's status for Friday is uncertain.If he is sidelined, Cooper can slide Nathan MacKinnon down to the 2C slot or keep MacKinnon on the first line's right wing and run with an alternative. Suzuki took the 2C role after Crosby left and would be the natural fit alongside fellow two-way forwards Stone and Marner.The ripple effects for the bottom six are arguably more intriguing.Sam Bennett, who was scratched against Czechia, would automatically draw in if Crosby's ruled out, since Canada would be down to 13 healthy forwards. Bo Horvat could line up at third-line center and Bennett could be the 4C. That would leave Seth Jarvis (a rare bright spot among Canada's depth forwards Wednesday), Wilson, Reinhart, Marchand, and Hagel to fill out the final four winger spots.I'd put Jarvis, Horvat, and Reinhart together on a quick third line; go with Hagel, Bennett, and Wilson as a gritty fourth trio; and then mix Marchand in as the 13th forward.<h3>Roller-coaster ride on defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822625/cropped_GettyImages-2262353533.jpg?ts=1771452419" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822625/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262353533.jpg?ts=1771452419 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822625/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262353533.jpg?ts=1771452419 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822625/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262353533.jpg?ts=1771452419 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822625/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262353533.jpg?ts=1771452419 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822625/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262353533.jpg?ts=1771452419 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stefano Guidi / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jordan Binnington stopped 21 of 24 shots, including <a href="https://hockeystats.com/games/2025090025">14 from the slot</a>.It was a classic showing for Canada's starting goalie: huge saves and helpful puck-handling mixed with juicy rebounds and close calls. The Blues netminder is Canada's ride-or-die in net, and he's finding a way to get the job done.The blue line, on the whole, gets a passing grade, though the evaluation is more nuanced. Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Thomas Harley have been terrific all tournament and were excellent against Czechia, playing 20-plus minutes each. Drew Doughty had his worst game in Italy but wasn't a massive net negative, while Travis Sanheim and Shea Theodore were fine.Colton Parayko's performance was the only concerning one.The hulking defender's puck play was a liability against the Czechs. Through four games, Parayko's shown us that he'll either skate the puck up the ice himself and dump it into the offensive zone with no real plan; rim or chip it to no one in particular; or try and fail to pass it to a specific teammate.None of those options are super helpful to Canada's transition game.Parayko is at his best when he's focused on eliminating the opposing attack and otherwise making simple passes to his partner. Josh Morrissey, an all-world puck-mover, is usually that safety valve, but he's been sidelined since Canada's opening game. Morrissey returning for the semis - which seems likely - would be a massive boost for a defense corps that's sorely missing a soft touch.<h3>McDavid, Celebrini keep leveling up</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822563/cropped_GettyImages-2262314065.jpg?ts=1771438801" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822563/w220xh124_GettyImages-2262314065.jpg?ts=1771438801 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822563/w320xh180_GettyImages-2262314065.jpg?ts=1771438801 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822563/w640xh360_GettyImages-2262314065.jpg?ts=1771438801 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822563/w768xh432_GettyImages-2262314065.jpg?ts=1771438801 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822563/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2262314065.jpg?ts=1771438801 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> EyesWideOpen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The best way to sum up McDavid's Olympics: Dude's on a mission.He's treating every shift like his last, bolting all over the ice with unparalleled speed and skill. His frenetic play is consistently causing fits for the other team. He's at 11 points in four games after adding two primary assists Wednesday.As impressive as McDavid has been in his first Games, some version of greatness was expected from the best player in the world.Celebrini, on the other hand, is ascending to new heights. A natural center, he was superb for a fourth straight game on the wing. The 19-year-old is hungry to make a difference with the puck and relentless without it.He sniped a McDavid drop pass to open the scoring and bring his tournament-leading goal total to five. No biggie. He replaced Crosby on the top power-play unit. Nobody batted an eye, and he earned an assist on MacKinnon's goal. He was part of the second group of Canadian players over the boards in OT - at this point, to nobody's surprise - and made a smartly timed drop pass to Marner to set up the winner.The teenager played 22:36 on Wednesday, second to only MacKinnon among forwards. Celebrini's proving he can be tasked with anything at any time, and he'll deliver.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Questions remain after Team Canada earns semifinal spot

The round-robin portion of the Olympic men's hockey tournament finished Sunday. Next up in Italy:...

The round-robin portion of the Olympic men's hockey tournament finished Sunday. Next up in Italy: playoff qualifiers Tuesday and quarterfinal games Wednesday. Canada, the United States, Slovakia, and Finland earned byes to the quarters; the other eight teams must win Tuesday to advance.For a breakdown of the elimination-stage bracket, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3479557" href="https://thescore.com/news/3479557">tap here</a>.Below are 10 thoughts on Week 1 and what Week 2 might bring.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Nothing fazing Celebrini</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822261/cropped_GettyImages-2261795624.jpg?ts=1771257155" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822261/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261795624.jpg?ts=1771257155 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822261/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261795624.jpg?ts=1771257155 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822261/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261795624.jpg?ts=1771257155 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822261/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261795624.jpg?ts=1771257155 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822261/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261795624.jpg?ts=1771257155 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> EyesWideOpen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Macklin Celebrini's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3429613" href="https://thescore.com/news/3429613">meteoric rise</a> has continued until even his biggest supporters would be lying if they claimed they saw this coming. He's been spectacular in his Olympic debut.Celebrini - who, it must be stressed, is 19 years old - is tied for the tournament lead with four goals. He scored twice, including on a penalty-shot deke, and added a primary assist in Canada's 10-2 dismantling of France on Sunday. The British Columbia native's six points are tied for second on the team and his 10 shots rank third. He's second to Connor McDavid in forward ice time.The linemate upgrade from the likes of Will Smith, Tyler Toffoli, and William Eklund in San Jose to McDavid, Tom Wilson, and Nathan MacKinnon on Canada is a major factor. But Celebrini's no passenger.Along with a superstar's skill set, Celebrini is assertive with and without the puck. He cares about the little details and rarely puts a bad shift on tape. It's hard to imagine any moment getting too big for him as Canada, which likely plays Czechia next, chases down gold.<h3>Matthews line starting to hum</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822259/cropped_GettyImages-2261467207.jpg?ts=1771256928" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822259/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261467207.jpg?ts=1771256928 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822259/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261467207.jpg?ts=1771256928 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822259/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261467207.jpg?ts=1771256928 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822259/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261467207.jpg?ts=1771256928 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822259/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261467207.jpg?ts=1771256928 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Team USA's offensive attack has mostly been powered by a two-way top line featuring Jack Eichel at center and the Tkachuk brothers on the wings. The trio - so smart, so skilled, so competitive - has dominated nearly all its shifts.The rest of the forward group seemed out of sorts through wins over Latvia and Denmark. There were some notable individual stat lines and highlights, but the combinations below the Eichel line didn't seem quite right.Coach Mike Sullivan exercised patience, rolling out similar lines with similar usage Sunday against Germany, and was rewarded. Auston Matthews, Jake Guentzel, and Matt Boldy - the other top-six line - had a particularly strong game. Captain Matthews, who's skating extremely well and shooting decisively from the high-danger area, looks primed for a huge week.The Americans' biggest strengths are their super talented and well-rounded blue line and star-studded goalie room. The forward group is still the second-best in the tournament, though, and if the USA hopes to beat Canada, it'll need multiple lines humming. Sunday was an encouraging showing on that front.<h3>Budding Harley-McDavid connection</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822250/cropped_GettyImages-2261784158.jpg?ts=1771254824" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822250/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261784158.jpg?ts=1771254824 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822250/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261784158.jpg?ts=1771254824 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822250/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261784158.jpg?ts=1771254824 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822250/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261784158.jpg?ts=1771254824 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822250/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261784158.jpg?ts=1771254824 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Thomas Harley has been phenomenal thus far.Canada's youngest defenseman ranks second on the blue line in scoring chance contributions, generating six chances of his own and assisting on six others, according to <a href="https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/2023133479362597335">data tracked</a> by hockey analyst Dimitri Filipovic.Harley's gotten more ice time than expected with fellow lefty Josh Morrissey nursing an injury. He's found chemistry with veteran Drew Doughty, which is nice, but his most consequential connection is with McDavid.Harley has made a habit of joining the rush when on the ice with the world's best player, and McDavid's made a habit of feathering passes to the streaking Stars defenseman. It's gone the other way, too: Harley connecting with an accelerating McDavid. The duo linked up early in Canada's game against Switzerland, with McDavid finding Harley all alone in the high slot. He snapped the puck past the goal line for his first Olympic goal and third point.Can Harley and No. 97 continue feeding off each other?<h3>3 Americans set to enter spotlight</h3>There are three American players having quiet tournaments who I fully expect to grab the hockey world's attention at some point this week.Dylan Larkin: After a low-impact start, Larkin was noticeable in the final round-robin game against Germany. Most crucially, USA's third-line center has picked up where he left off in the NHL, winning 19 of 33 faceoffs (79% success rate). Faceoffs take on greater importance in elimination games.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822252/cropped_GettyImages-2261177151.jpg?ts=1771254893" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822252/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261177151.jpg?ts=1771254893 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822252/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261177151.jpg?ts=1771254893 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822252/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261177151.jpg?ts=1771254893 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822252/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261177151.jpg?ts=1771254893 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822252/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261177151.jpg?ts=1771254893 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> RvS.Media/Monika Majer / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jaccob Slavin: A 4 Nations Face-Off standout, Slavin hasn't been called upon for shutdown duty. Yet. His usage will change dramatically if/when the U.S. meets Sweden and Canada. The smart, fast, rangy Hurricanes defender is capable of limiting Sweden's William Nylander and Canada's McDavid.Connor Hellebuyck: Will the reigning Hart Trophy winner attract attention for the right reasons? Hellebuyck has developed a reputation for failing to rise to the occasion in high-leverage NHL and international games. Team USA needs its starter to, at the very least, draw even with the other goalie in every game.<h3>Sweden versus Sweden</h3>Sweden's toughest opponent in the round robin? Itself.Not only did the players generally perform below expectation, but coach Sam Hallam's deployment decisions were also odd. Filip Forsberg, one of Sweden's best players by any measure, was the 13th forward to start the tournament and is averaging an unacceptable 7:27 a game. Hallam's used struggling defenseman Victor Hedman too much, and he opted to keep Filip Gustavsson between the pipes after the netminder allowed two goals on four shots against Italy and then two goals on six shots against Finland.All of this disorganization resulted in a difficult road to the medal round. Sweden, the seventh seed despite icing an all-NHLers roster, faces plucky Latvia in qualification with the gold-contending U.S. awaiting in the quarters.<h3>Saros feeling it in Finnish net</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822253/cropped_GettyImages-2260546259.jpg?ts=1771254998" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822253/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260546259.jpg?ts=1771254998 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822253/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260546259.jpg?ts=1771254998 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822253/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260546259.jpg?ts=1771254998 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822253/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260546259.jpg?ts=1771254998 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822253/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260546259.jpg?ts=1771254998 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> RvS.Media/Robert Hradil / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Juuse Saros has logged the most minutes among goalies: 178:49.The Finnish netminder is insulated by a defensive-minded skater group, yes, but he's done his part by turning aside 70 of 74 shots in three appearances. Although he wasn't sharp in a tournament-opening loss to Slovakia, he shined in a hotly contested victory over Sweden and then cruised to a shutout over Italy. All told, Saros has let in two goals during even-strength action.The Finns don't have enough firepower to outscore top teams. They'll need epic defensive efforts to earn a medal - and it all starts with Saros' stopping.<h3>Germany pushing studs to limit</h3>As expected, top-heavy Germany is leaning heavily on its four prominent NHLers: Leon Draisaitl, Moritz Seider, Tim Stutzle, and JJ Peterka.Seider, who's enjoying a Norris Trophy-caliber season for the Red Wings, leads the tournament in usage. He skated for 26:18, 27:41, and 26:20 in the round robin for a 26:48 average - one minute more than his NHL mark.Draisaitl's fifth overall and tops among Olympic forwards at 23:23 a night after logging an absurd 28:30 in a loss to Latvia. Another German defenseman, Kai Wissmann, is 15th at 21:40, with Stutzle 16th at 21:21 and Peterka 18th at 20:55.Sixth-seeded Germany should have no issues defeating France, but Slovakia would pose a much more significant challenge in the quarters.<h3>Player to watch: Nemec</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822254/cropped_GettyImages-2261423140.jpg?ts=1771255074" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822254/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261423140.jpg?ts=1771255074 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822254/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261423140.jpg?ts=1771255074 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822254/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261423140.jpg?ts=1771255074 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822254/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261423140.jpg?ts=1771255074 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822254/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261423140.jpg?ts=1771255074 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Elsa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Canadiens power forward Juraj Slafkovsky is tied for second in tournament scoring with six points in three games. He's Slovakia's engine in Milan.Still, Simon Nemec is the Slovak I'm dying to see in an elimination-game setting. The Devils' offensive defenseman - who celebrated his 22nd birthday over the weekend - has been tasked with a heavy workload. He's flourished on the top defense pairing with Martin Fehervary and toyed with penalty kills alongside Slafkovsky and Dalibor Dvorsky, another promising early-20s NHLer.Nemec's chipped in just two points, but he's third on the team in shots on goal and second in scoring-chance contributions. He's generated six chances himself and added 11 chance assists.<h3>No greater X-factor than Ehlers</h3>Denmark will be the underdog Tuesday against Czechia. Yet it feels like the Danes are one signature Nikolaj Ehlers performance away from victory.Ehlers, one of six NHLers on Denmark but the lone true game-breaker, was dangerous in all three round-robin contests. He collected a primary assist versus Germany, a primary assist versus the U.S., and a goal versus Latvia.His explosive skating and deft playmaking are a lethal combination off the rush.<h3>Winter Games living up to hype</h3>We waited 12 long years for NHLers to return to the Olympics.The first week of action provided everything you could ask for and then some.The round robin was a continuation of last February's 4 Nations event: rapid pace, intense puck battles all over the ice, and world-class talent working together to accomplish a shared mission. There was no shortage of drama, from disallowed goals and late-game comebacks to highlight-reel goals and netminder gaffes to post-whistle scrums and hot-mic chirps. Minnows challenged powerhouses. Mid-tier nations overachieved. Powerhouses clashed.Bring on the higher stakes, intensity, and pride of Week 2.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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10 thoughts on Olympic men's hockey ahead of elimination stage

Canada wrapped up its round-robin schedule Sunday with a 10-2 beatdown of France. The 3-0-0 squad...

Canada wrapped up its round-robin schedule Sunday with a 10-2 beatdown of France. The 3-0-0 squad has earned a bye into Wednesday's quarterfinal round. Here are our four biggest takeaways from Canada-France.<h3>The full Mark Stone experience</h3>On a typical night in the NHL, Mark Stone wows those who pay extra close attention. A master of the sport's finer details, Stone will own little moments throughout a game and contribute more value than the scoresheet suggests.Everybody pays close attention during the Olympics, and Stone turned heads Sunday. He blocked passes and outright stole the puck from French players on a handful of occasions, with one particularly well-timed interception leading to a shorthanded breakaway goal in the dying seconds of the first period.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822160/cropped_GettyImages-2261146741.jpg?ts=1771179228" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822160/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261146741.jpg?ts=1771179228 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822160/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261146741.jpg?ts=1771179228 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822160/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261146741.jpg?ts=1771179228 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822160/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261146741.jpg?ts=1771179228 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822160/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261146741.jpg?ts=1771179228 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Stone, who, in 13 minutes of ice time, also earned a pair of primary assists, is one of the slowest players competing in Italy. It doesn't really matter though. His next-level anticipation, strong and long frame, and competitive fire gets him to the right spots at the right times. What makes Stone especially unique is his habit of using his right-handed stick like a pool cue to poke at pucks.He's on the short list of most consistent Canadian players through three games, having thrived at even strength, with the man advantage, and on the penalty kill. The 33-year-old's star performance is a continuation of an NHL season in which he's recorded 60 points in 41 games for the Golden Knights to rank fifth in the league in points per game (1.46). The dude is feeling it.Stone, fellow winger Mitch Marner, and center Sidney Crosby were together for the entire round-robin portion of the tournament. You can understand why head coach Jon Cooper is sticking with the trio. Their hockey IQ is off the charts.<h3>Wilson, MacKinnon toe the line</h3>Hands up if you had a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" on your Olympic bingo card.No one? Yep, me neither.Leave it to power forward Tom Wilson to do the deed: a goal in the first period then an assist and a fighting major in the third. The careerlong Washington Capital dropped the mitts with French defenseman Pierre Crinon in response to an elbow delivered to the head of Canadian superstar Nathan MacKinnon. Wilson and Crinon were assessed minor penalties for roughing, majors for fighting, and automatic game misconducts. Neither player will be suspended.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822162/cropped_GettyImages-2261800542.jpg?ts=1771179397" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822162/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261800542.jpg?ts=1771179397 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822162/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261800542.jpg?ts=1771179397 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822162/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261800542.jpg?ts=1771179397 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822162/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261800542.jpg?ts=1771179397 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822162/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261800542.jpg?ts=1771179397 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"We didn't like the hit: felt like it was late and high," linemate Connor McDavid <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-wilson-fight-olympics-efa71514571e9abc02ec7e837ee1ab09">told</a> reporters postgame. "Willy just finishes a check and the guy jumps him, and Willy's just protecting himself. That's all he can do. That's the type of guy he is, type of teammate he is. Nothing but respect for him."Wilson looked fantastic all night on McDavid's right wing, completing short passes off the wall, retrieving loose pucks, and wreaking havoc in front of France's net. Choosing to fight, even in a blowout, is a risky move. But, with no supplemental discipline on the way, Wilson comes out proud. He sent a message to every nation competing by sticking up for his skilled countryman.MacKinnon, meanwhile, tempted fate a few times after Wilson's fight. He was on a mission to inflict pain on the opposition, landing multiple body checks and cross-checks. That approach is a net positive if you leave a 10-2 game unscathed, though it looked like MacKinnon may have hurt himself during his final shift.<h3>Goals, goals, and more goals</h3>Canada had two objectives against France, Group A's walkover team.One: win the game. Two: score as many goals as possible to juice up the goal differential and secure the No. 1 seed ahead of the elimination stage.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822161/cropped_GettyImages-2261795610.jpg?ts=1771179325" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822161/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261795610.jpg?ts=1771179325 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822161/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261795610.jpg?ts=1771179325 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822161/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261795610.jpg?ts=1771179325 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822161/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261795610.jpg?ts=1771179325 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822161/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261795610.jpg?ts=1771179325 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> EyesWideOpen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It took a while for the floodgates to open, but Canada turned 46 shots into 10 goals and now owns a plus-17 differential. McDavid, Stone, Crosby, and Macklin Celebrini each contributed three points. Along the way, Crosby became Canada's all-time leader in Olympic points in the NHL era, McDavid increased his tournament-leading point total to nine, and 19-year-old Celebrini jumped to first in tournament goals with his third and fourth snipes.Canada is insanely deep. The team has 12 goal-scorers just three games in.<h3>Lineup, usage decisions loom</h3>The top three forwards lines and top defense pair appear locked in (though Cooper may still toss MacKinnon on McDavid's wing from time to time).It'll be fascinating to see who fills out the very bottom of the forward group the rest of the way. Cooper <a href="https://x.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/2023105218242859027">said</a> Sunday that veteran winger Brad Marchand - a scratch in back-to-back games - will return to the lineup for Wednesday's quarterfinal contest. Fourth-liners Bo Horvat and Sam Reinhart aren't going anywhere. That leaves Sam Bennett and Seth Jarvis as options for the final forward spot.If it were up to me, I'd dress Jarvis. The pace-pushing two-way winger's been quietly effective in two games, while Bennett's mostly blended into the action.I wonder how Cooper distributes blue line minutes moving forward. How much does he lean on the excellent Cale Makar-Devon Toews duo, especially if an injured Josh Morrissey can't draw back into the lineup? Does 24-year-old thoroughbred Thomas Harley, who impressed at the 4 Nations Face-Off and has gotten better every game in Milan, receive an elevated role?John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Canada-France takeaways: Full Stone experience, Wilson wins, decisions loom

The United States is 2-0 in Group C action at the 2026 Olympics following a 5-1 win over Latvia o...

The United States is 2-0 in Group C action at the 2026 Olympics following a 5-1 win over Latvia on Thursday and a 6-3 triumph over Denmark on Saturday. What have we learned about Team USA thus far?<h3>Mixed bag up front</h3>The U.S. meets a beatable German squad Sunday to wrap up its round-robin schedule. A victory would give the Americans one of the top two seeds heading into the elimination stage of the tournament.In other words, the gold medal co-favorite is in a cozy spot as far as black-and-white results are concerned.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Yet the wins over Latvia and Denmark weren't super impressive or inspiring. Whereas Canada looked dominant and intimidatingly deep in its first two contests, the U.S. has been just alright. Team USA is yet to put on a clinic."We're an unfinished product," center Jack Eichel <a href="https://x.com/ethan_sears/status/2022807398331654500">told reporters</a> Saturday.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822107/cropped_GettyImages-2261171765.jpg?ts=1771117089" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822107/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261171765.jpg?ts=1771117089 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822107/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261171765.jpg?ts=1771117089 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822107/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261171765.jpg?ts=1771117089 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822107/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261171765.jpg?ts=1771117089 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822107/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261171765.jpg?ts=1771117089 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julien De Rosa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The forward group is a microcosm - encouraging and discouraging starts.The first line of Eichel between Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk has been phenomenal. The trio has executed an offensive zone faceoff play three times already - in it, Eichel swipes the puck back to Brady, who gets a clean shot off because Matthew's setting a pick. The practiced play immediately led to Matthew hitting the post against Latvia, Brady scoring a goal versus Denmark, and defenseman Zach Werenski almost scoring Saturday.Eichel also scored shortly after an O-zone faceoff on Saturday, albeit not through a set play. His four points and 10 shots on goal both lead the team.Jack Hughes, Tage Thompson, and Brock Nelson are three other early standouts up front. Hughes has been lethal off the rush, frequently streaking down the flanks while flashing high-level creativity. He's recorded two primary assists and buried a nifty goal-line bank shot off a Danish goalie's skate.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822097/cropped_GettyImages-2261678478.jpg?ts=1771114031" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822097/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261678478.jpg?ts=1771114031 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822097/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261678478.jpg?ts=1771114031 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822097/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261678478.jpg?ts=1771114031 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822097/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261678478.jpg?ts=1771114031 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822097/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261678478.jpg?ts=1771114031 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Second-liners Auston Matthews, Jake Guentzel, and Matt Boldy have all had their moments of brilliance, but have underwhelmed overall. J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck have looked out of their depth at five-on-five due to a lack of foot speed. Kyle Connor, a sniper, has failed to record a shot in 21 total minutes.The odd thing is that U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan, despite the relatively weak competition and obvious individual struggles, hasn't made any notable changes to the forward combinations during or between games. I'd like to see Hughes and Nelson promoted to the top six, and winger Clayton Keller - a healthy scratch so far - take Miller's spot.<h3>Swayman out, Oettinger in</h3>Connor Hellebuyck, the top American goalie, played well in the opener.Jeremy Swayman then imploded against Denmark, allowing one of the worst goals in Olympic history - a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3478935" href="https://thescore.com/news/3478935">harmless shot from center ice</a> off the stick of a longtime stay-at-home defenseman - plus another stinker off a point shot.Sullivan can't possibly dress Swayman again after such a woeful showing. Luckily, there's another stud netminder waiting in the wings in talented third-stringer Jake Oettinger, who's by no means a downgrade on Swayman.Goaltending remains a massive strength for the United States. Still, Swayman's gaffe put an unsettling reality into the universe: anything can happen to any goalie at any time.<h3>Hughes + Werenski = unfair</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822098/cropped_GettyImages-2261203901.jpg?ts=1771114167" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822098/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261203901.jpg?ts=1771114167 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822098/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261203901.jpg?ts=1771114167 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822098/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261203901.jpg?ts=1771114167 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822098/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261203901.jpg?ts=1771114167 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822098/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261203901.jpg?ts=1771114167 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Quinn Hughes was forced to miss last February's 4 Nations Face-Off because of injury, which means the Olympics is our first opportunity to see the superstar blue-liner operate on the best-on-best international stage.The 26-year-old has been his usual brilliant self in a team-high 22:17 a night.Hughes clocking more stick-on-puck possession time than anyone in both games? Classic. Hughes slinging perfect passes to Eichel as the 6-foot-2 center with a beautiful skating stride moves through the neutral zone? Magic.The U.S. throwing Hughes and Werenski over the boards for back-to-back shifts is is borderline unfair to the rest of the field. Both can dictate the flow of the game with elite mobility, offensive instincts, playmaking, and shooting from the back end. I expect Sullivan to lean on them heavily moving forward.<h3>Special teams look legit</h3>Team USA general manager Bill Guerin talked prior to the tournament about filling the bottom of the 25-man roster with players who can contribute in specific areas. One is special teams. So far, so very good in that respect.The U.S. is the only nation with a perfect penalty killing percentage (six for six), and the power play has scored twice in five opportunities to tie Canada for the best rate (40%) in the tournament.The first power play unit runs through Quinn Hughes and Eichel. Matthew Tkachuk is tasked with playmaking in and around the net, while right-handed Tage Thompson and left-handed Auston Matthews are the default triggerman.Canada's PP1 features more eye-popping talent with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, and Sam Reinhart. But there's something about Team USA's diverse cast of characters that's so damn tantalizing.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Team USA still finding its footing despite starting Olympics with 2 wins

On Friday, Canada took down Switzerland 5-1 to clinch the No. 1 seed in Group A at the 2026 Olymp...

On Friday, Canada took down Switzerland 5-1 to clinch the No. 1 seed in Group A at the 2026 Olympics in Italy. Here are our five biggest takeaways:<h3>17-97-29 line is hockey heaven</h3>When Nathan MacKinnon joined Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini on Canada's first line in the second period Friday, the hockey world perked up.Ohhhh, fun, let's see how this goes!<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The line featuring three of the NHL's top four point-getters immediately impacted the game, turning looks of awe into grins in Canada and facepalms everywhere else. McDavid, MacKinnon, and Celebrini - all first overall picks, all faces of the league - sharing the ice amounted to hockey heaven from a viewing experience and, crucially for Canada, two goals on the scoreboard.There's a ton of overlap between McDavid's and MacKinnon's skill sets, but world-class players are world class because they're malleable; they can instantly figure out how to feed off teammates' strengths to maximize the fit.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821992/cropped_GettyImages-2261515310.jpg?ts=1771027844" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821992/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261515310.jpg?ts=1771027844 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821992/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261515310.jpg?ts=1771027844 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821992/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261515310.jpg?ts=1771027844 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821992/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261515310.jpg?ts=1771027844 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821992/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261515310.jpg?ts=1771027844 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McDavid, who's playing some of the finest hockey of his illustrious career at 29, became the puck carrier and primary playmaker. Celebrini, 19 but performing like a 1,000-game veteran, was the forechecker, puck retriever, and primary shooter. MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy contender at 30, was the net-driving dual threat as both the secondary playmaker and secondary shooter.That's one of the most talented lines ever assembled in international competition - the current two best players in the world, plus arguably another top-10 guy in Celebrini, wheeling around the ice during five-on-five action.McDavid tallied his first career Olympic goal while driving his two-game point total to six. He also delivered a few crushing body checks to continue a trend of Canada's superstars - MacKinnon among them - laying the body in the early stages of the tournament. Swiss defenseman Andrea Glauser, one of McDavid's victims Friday, was forced to leave the game due to injury.Head coach Jon Cooper's decision to load up the first line helped MacKinnon, who played just 14:44 in Canada's near-perfect 5-0 win over Czechia, skate for roughly two extra minutes. It also created a pestering two-way trio further down the lineup, with towering Tom Wilson taking MacKinnon's spot alongside relentless left winger Brandon Hagel and smart center Nick Suzuki.Cooper might shuffle the forwards again in the final round-robin game against France on Sunday. It's possible the coaching staff believes there's an even better way of constructing four lines. At the very least, though, Team Canada knows it has the Celebrini-McDavid-MacKinnon combo in its back pocket.<h3>Harley quickly proving worth</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821994/cropped_GettyImages-2260985212.jpg?ts=1771029453" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821994/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260985212.jpg?ts=1771029453 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821994/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260985212.jpg?ts=1771029453 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821994/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260985212.jpg?ts=1771029453 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821994/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260985212.jpg?ts=1771029453 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821994/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260985212.jpg?ts=1771029453 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Thomas Harley wasn't a lock to make Canada's roster despite impressing at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off. His season in Dallas has been substandard.Milan has been entirely different story, however. The 6-foot-3, slick-skating defenseman has looked fantastic and was especially noticeable in 18:13 against the Swiss. His risk-reward assessments were on point - so smooth and confident with the puck, leading to a goal off the rush in the first period, and also poised and responsible in defensive situations.Harley and partner Drew Doughty, who's a straightforward shutdown defenseman at this stage of his career, complement each other extremely well.Canada entered the tournament with one pairing (Devon Toews with Cale Makar) set in stone. It's safe to say Harley and Doughty have become the second.<h3>Newcomers didn't disappoint</h3>Canada made three lineup changes Friday, subbing in goalie Logan Thompson, winger Seth Jarvis, and defenseman Travis Sanheim for Jordan Binnington, Brad Marchand, and Josh Morrissey, respectively.None of them disappointed - though one impressed more than the others.Thompson showcased the tremendous length and athleticism he's become known for over the past two seasons while logging starter's minutes for the Capitals. His 24-save performance solidified his standing as the Plan B option if starter Binnington gets injured or falters early in an elimination-stage game.Cooper told reporters postgame Friday that Morrissey (injured against Czechia) will remain out Sunday, which means Sanheim is set to appear in back-to-back games. It'll be interesting to see if some healthy veterans get the day off considering the low stakes and minimal threat France poses.<h3>Tournament trend emerges</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821999/cropped_GettyImages-2261509445.jpg?ts=1771032042" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821999/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261509445.jpg?ts=1771032042 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821999/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261509445.jpg?ts=1771032042 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821999/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261509445.jpg?ts=1771032042 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821999/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261509445.jpg?ts=1771032042 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821999/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261509445.jpg?ts=1771032042 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Officiating was a major storyline ahead of the tournament. How would NHLers fare in games called by the International Ice Hockey Federation rulebook? It's turned out to be a non-story. Most of the stuff usually whistled down at IIHF events - clean but hard hits, little slashes and hooks, etc. - hasn't been called. There's a couple of reasons for this: many of the referees and linesmen working the Olympics are also NHL officials; and second, the IIHF rulebook has been slowly reworked recently to more or less reflect the NHL's.Another pre-tournament storyline was the wonky ice surface dimensions.The neutral zone in Milan is roughly three feet shorter than that in an NHL rink. That may seem like an inconsequential difference, but the style of play we've seen so far suggests three feet is in fact a pretty big deal. Most games have been grinding contests in which attacking teams have often opted to dump the puck into the offensive zone and forecheck. Defensemen have been able to hold tight neutral-zone gaps and thus limit clean, carry-in zone entries.Friday's battle between rivals Sweden and Finland was a prime example.To my eye, Canada's games have been the exception to the rule - for the most part, unclogged neutral zones and plenty of fast-break opportunities. Perhaps the powerhouse nation is too much for opposing teams to contain.<h3>Switzerland puts up strong fight</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821998/cropped_GettyImages-2261008863.jpg?ts=1771031860" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821998/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261008863.jpg?ts=1771031860 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821998/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261008863.jpg?ts=1771031860 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821998/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261008863.jpg?ts=1771031860 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821998/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261008863.jpg?ts=1771031860 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821998/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261008863.jpg?ts=1771031860 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> RvS.Media/Robert Hradil / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>I was thoroughly impressed by the Swiss' performance Friday. The four-goal gap in the final score doesn't reflect the stiff test Canada faced.Speedy Switzerland was arguably the better team through 20 minutes. The scoring chances were 9-7 in their favor, according to <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/canada-vs-game-150677494">hockey analyst Dimitri Filipovic</a>, and they started the second down just 2-1. (See above for the signature lineup change that flipped the game on its head.) Switzerland's no longer a pushover in best-on-best competition. Nico Hischier, Roman Josi, Kevin Fiala, Timo Meier, J.J. Moser, Nino Niederreiter, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Pius Suter are eight legitimately good NHLers. The country's deep enough at every position to contend for a medal in Milan.What a scary scene that was with two minutes left in the third period, though. Fiala had to be stretchered off the ice due to an apparent left leg injury. Unsurprisingly, the Kings winger has been ruled out for the rest of Switzerland's schedule.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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5 key takeaways from Canada's hard-fought victory over Switzerland

On Thursday, Canada defeated Czechia 5-0 in its first of three round-robin games at the 2026 Olym...

On Thursday, Canada defeated Czechia 5-0 in its first of three round-robin games at the 2026 Olympics in Italy. Here are our biggest takeaways:<h3>Separating quality on full display</h3>Clinical.That's the word that best describes Canada's dominating debut in Milan.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Not a single player among the 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and one goalie who saw ice time against Czechia disappointed. Depth of talent, especially up front, is one of Canada's greatest strengths, but what truly sets this team apart at this tournament is its megastar layer atop the roster.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821816/cropped_GettyImages-2260748524.jpg?ts=1770928879" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821816/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260748524.jpg?ts=1770928879 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821816/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260748524.jpg?ts=1770928879 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821816/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260748524.jpg?ts=1770928879 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821816/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260748524.jpg?ts=1770928879 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821816/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260748524.jpg?ts=1770928879 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>No other country has an equivalent to Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon. And no one else possesses the nuclear option of pairing Nos. 97 and 29 together, or the luxury of sending Cale Makar over the boards for super-charged shifts featuring three top-five players on the planet. If Canada's leaders are humming, it'll win gold.Head coach Jon Cooper on Thursday chose to deploy first-time Olympians McDavid and MacKinnon on different lines, bumping all-time great Sidney Crosby to third-line center. The spread-the-wealth approach worked out wonderfully. Czechia, Canada's stiffest competition in Group A, was in survival mode for virtually the entire game, simply chasing the play.Canada recorded 36 scoring chances as a team, according to <a href="https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/2022034482904416451">data tracked</a> by hockey analyst Dimitri Filipovic. McDavid factored in on 14 of them.Czechia's grand total? A dozen. Not 12 for star winger David Pastrnak or Pastrnak's line with NHL stars Marty Necas and Tomas Hertl - 12 total.McDavid, leading a line with 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini and hit-machine Tom Wilson, delivered a thunderous hit of his own on his first shift. He consistently flashed world-class speed and skill throughout the game, earning three assists. The McDavid-Celebrini playing style fit is undeniable.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
How big was Connor McDavid's hit? Brad Marchand thought it was Tom Wilson, according to Wilson post-game. "When I got back to the bench, Marchy said 'Great hit, Willy,' and I said 'No, that was Davo,' "— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/THNRyanKennedy/status/2022030589407506859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>MacKinnon scored on the power play, won 10 of 13 faceoffs, and seemed to hit everything that moved while skating with Brandon Hagel and Nick Suzuki.Crosby, flanked by Mitch Marner and Mark Stone on a line bursting with hockey IQ, recorded two assists. The first came during a gorgeous passing sequence in which all five Canadians on the ice touched the puck, culminating in a nifty Marner saucer pass to Stone around Czechia's crease.Again, the word "clinical" comes to mind.To put an even finer point on it: Sam Reinhart, a 50 goal-scorer and easily a first-liner on most Olympic teams, was a member of Canada's fourth line.<h3>Binnington plants flag</h3>Jordan Binnington entered the tournament as the most doubted man on Canada's roster - and rightfully so, given the ghastly numbers he's put up in 32 NHL games this season. But there Binnington was on Thursday, performing admirably under the bright lights like he's done many times before.The 32-year-old was a calming presence from puck drop to the final buzzer, turning aside all 26 Czechia shots and rarely looking out of position. He also handled the puck often and executed several outlet passes. Though his rebound control was rocky to start, he turned things around halfway through the contest.The famously hot-headed Binnington even kept his cool after Czech forward Radek Faksa ran him over in the third period.<h3>Less-obvious standouts</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821814/cropped_GettyImages-2261272015.jpg?ts=1770928704" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821814/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261272015.jpg?ts=1770928704 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821814/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261272015.jpg?ts=1770928704 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821814/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261272015.jpg?ts=1770928704 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821814/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261272015.jpg?ts=1770928704 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821814/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261272015.jpg?ts=1770928704 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Drew Doughty: The oldest member of Canada's blue line wasn't named to his third Olympic team to generate offense. And he's perfectly fine with that.Doughty's in Milan to play a simple yet effective shutdown game, and he checked off the right boxes in 19 minutes. The Los Angeles Kings blue-liner had tight gaps in the neutral zone, laid the body along the boards and in front of the net, held his own skating-wise despite the ultra-fast-paced action, and kept the puck moving away from Canada's net every shift.Bo Horvat: The New York Islanders pivot finished with the third-fewest minutes among Canadian forwards but accomplished plenty in 9:54. Horvat displayed strong skating and poise on a nifty breakaway goal while contributing in subtle ways.If the opener is any indication, Horvat appears to be Cooper's safety blanket up front. Lightning center Anthony Cirelli - who Cooper trusts immensely in defensive situations - was originally named to the squad for his penalty killing and faceoff winning abilities. But he's out for the Olympics due to injury. Guess what? Horvat, who can alternate between wing and center, was leaned on for key defensive-zone draws and a part of the first PK unit in the opener.<h3>Uncertainty surrounds Morrissey</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821843/cropped_GettyImages-2261279201.jpg?ts=1770937548" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821843/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261279201.jpg?ts=1770937548 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821843/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261279201.jpg?ts=1770937548 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821843/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261279201.jpg?ts=1770937548 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821843/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261279201.jpg?ts=1770937548 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821843/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261279201.jpg?ts=1770937548 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Josh Morrissey's departure was the lone blemish for Canada.The Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman finished with a team-low 7:10 after an injury forced him out of the game in the second period. His absence for any amount of time would be a major blow to the blue line, though Cooper couldn't provide an official update on Morrissey's status postgame.Silver lining: The rest of the defense corps looked terrific.Colorado Avalanche partners Makar and Devon Toews were dominant. Thomas Harley skated and moved pucks at efficient rates. Colton Parayko played his usual heavy and steady game. Shea Theodore, who began as the seventh defenseman, was extremely consistent in all three zones despite having to rotate partners every other shift prior to Morrissey's departure.If Canada rules Morrissey out for Friday's game against Switzerland, the pairings will likely be Toews-Makar, Harley-Doughty, and Theodore-Parayko, with Travis Sanheim drawing in as the seventh D-man.Expect Cooper to throw Logan Thompson or Darcy Kuemper between the pipes on Friday to avoid back-to-back starts for Binnington. Make no mistake, though, Binnington's the starter. He earned that label on Thursday.<div>John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).</div>

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What we learned about Canada in its Olympic opener against Czechia

Charlie McAvoy was still rattled 19 months later.  It was September 2023, and McAvoy couldn't hol...

Charlie McAvoy was still rattled 19 months later.It was September 2023, and McAvoy couldn't hold back his disgust at missing out on pulling a red, white, and blue Team USA jersey over his head and representing his country in men's hockey at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing."That one took a while to get over," he said at a preseason event in Las Vegas.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Boston Bruins defenseman's facial expression, body language, and tone all suggested he wasn't over it."It's just a mess. It gets to a point where it gets real," McAvoy said of what went through his mind when the NHL backed out of the Beijing Olympics."You go through training camp, and you're preparing. The behind-the-scenes aspect is happening. We're months away, they're trying to assemble a team, you're on a short list, and you're going through all these things. You're picking sizes for your Ralph Lauren outfit to walk in during the Opening Ceremony. That stuff got real. It got really real. You internalize it. It's motivation. You want to be a part of it, and then you just lose it in a matter of seconds?"<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821474/cropped_GettyImages-2260689137.jpg?ts=1770775281" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821474/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260689137.jpg?ts=1770775281 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821474/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260689137.jpg?ts=1770775281 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821474/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260689137.jpg?ts=1770775281 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821474/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260689137.jpg?ts=1770775281 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821474/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260689137.jpg?ts=1770775281 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The world's top players were denied the Olympic experience in 2018 because of industry politics, and again in 2022, this time due to health and safety concerns amid a pandemic. The prime of an NHL career is only so long, and the Olympic opportunity came and went for a group of unlucky stars. Fans were robbed of true best-on-best international play in the process.For a while, predicting the NHL's return to the Winter Games in 2026 felt foolish - another obstacle seemed certain to arise. Would we ever see all-time great Sidney Crosby, author of 2010's "Golden Goal," on the Olympic stage again?"I had some hope," the 38-year-old Canadian hero said this past September."I like to think I'm an optimistic person, so I think that I tried to maintain hope that it would work out," Crosby added. "It's one of those things: How are you going to control (the outcome)? You can't. I was hoping it would work itself out, and it definitely has."Twelve long years after Crosby and Canada won gold in Sochi, the NHL's return to the five-ring circus is officially upon us. The 2026 tournament, held in Milan, opens Wednesday, with Finland facing Slovakia and Italy taking on Sweden. Canada, captained by Crosby, begins its round-robin schedule Thursday against Czechia. The U.S., captained by Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews, also gets going Thursday with a tilt versus Latvia.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821478/cropped_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1770776462" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821478/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1770776462 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821478/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1770776462 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821478/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1770776462 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821478/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1770776462 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821478/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1770776462 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The delicious storylines, boosted by a dramatically improved on-ice product, are everywhere. It starts with the rivalry between Canada, the gold-medal winner at three of the five Olympics featuring NHLers, and the emerging powerhouse that is Team USA. The North Americans enter as co-favorites after commanding the entire sports world's attention last year with two instant classics at the totally made-up but completely epic 4 Nations Face-Off."That was the fastest hockey anybody had ever played," Canada defenseman Cale Makar said in the fall. Transitioning from the dog days of the NHL regular season to frenetic, nearly mistake-free 4 Nations action was "pretty insane," he added. "It was a weird and cool experience to be out there for that. I think the Olympics will be a completely different thing, almost even more amplified."Canada is led by three of the consensus five best players on the planet in first-time Olympians Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Makar. Its forward group is flat-out nasty and doesn't have a single weak link from Crosby through the 14th guy. The blue line is solid, but goaltending is a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3464947" href="https://thescore.com/news/3464947">sore spot</a>.The USA boasts a young, talented defense corps led by Quinn Hughes and McAvoy, and the deepest goaltending trio in the 12-team field. Up front, the roster features a handful of game-breakers and the tone-setting duo of brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. Still, there's no McDavid equivalent anywhere on the Americans' lineup card.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821486/cropped_GettyImages-2216368396.jpg?ts=1770777942" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821486/w220xh124_GettyImages-2216368396.jpg?ts=1770777942 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821486/w320xh180_GettyImages-2216368396.jpg?ts=1770777942 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821486/w640xh360_GettyImages-2216368396.jpg?ts=1770777942 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821486/w768xh432_GettyImages-2216368396.jpg?ts=1770777942 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821486/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2216368396.jpg?ts=1770777942 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Campanella / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The U.S., with its massive population and professionalized youth sports system, is typically the nation with the target on its back in international competition. Hockey, however, has always been the exception to the rule - it's been Canada's domain. But an Olympic gold for the USA would change the dynamic, at least temporarily. On the flip side, a gold for Canada, coupled with last year's 4 Nations title, would kill any talk of the Americans coming for the throne, at least temporarily."Anything less than a gold medal would be ... I don't want to say a failure. But that would be disappointing," USA forward Jack Eichel said in the fall. "Yeah, we're going over there to win."Sweden and Finland slot in as the third- and fourth-best countries. With Canada and the USA absorbing all of the pre-tournament hype, the Swedes have flown under the radar as a gold-medal contender. Their roster is wonderfully balanced.The absence of Russia, which is excluded from all Olympic competition due to the war in Ukraine, can't be overlooked in the present or in the retelling of the tournament in the future. Although Milan is "best-on-best," an asterisk remains. That said, many mid-tier countries are littered with impact NHLers, like Czechia's David Pastrnak and Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky. The rise of Switzerland and Germany should produce tighter final scores and perhaps a Cinderella run. There are seemingly more dark horse medal threats than usual.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821485/cropped_GettyImages-2260582965.jpg?ts=1770777675" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821485/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260582965.jpg?ts=1770777675 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821485/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260582965.jpg?ts=1770777675 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821485/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260582965.jpg?ts=1770777675 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821485/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260582965.jpg?ts=1770777675 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821485/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260582965.jpg?ts=1770777675 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>How far can stud Leon Draisaitl carry the top-heavy Germans? What kind of magic can warp-speed skaters McDavid and MacKinnon spin up on an ice surface slightly smaller than NHL rinks? Can Matthews find his elite scoring touch after a quieter past two seasons? Will USA starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck dominate or crumble in the spotlight? Does international officiating impact a contender's medal chances in any meaningful way?Crosby is the only player entering the tournament with membership in the Triple Gold Club (Olympic gold, world championship title, Stanley Cup). But 13 players, including five Canadians, are one shiny medal away from joining him.Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old Canadian who has a shot at becoming the best player in the world by the 2030 Olympics, is already a household name. He's about to get exponentially more famous. Non-hockey fans care about the Olympics, which is part of the appeal. The Games have a gravity to them. They're about sporting excellence, yes. But also patriotism and community.Olympic men's hockey matters on a basic human level."It's something I've dreamed of ever since I was a kid," said Celebrini, who was seven years old when the 2014 gold was placed around Crosby's neck.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Why this could be the most thrilling Olympic men's hockey tournament yet

Brad Marchand strolls into Team Canada's dressing room during the 4 Nations Face-Off with the kno...

Brad Marchand strolls into Team Canada's dressing room during the 4 Nations Face-Off with the knowing grin of somebody dying to stir the pot."Man, you guys are fun to watch," he announces to no one in particular.Marchand, the second-oldest Canadian player at the Olympic tuneup, approaches his stall. "Ho, ho, ho. I might be the biggest fan here."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Atta boy, Mitchy," Marchand says in the direction of Mitch Marner, who scored an overtime goal against Sweden moments earlier. "Good job, Sid," he says to OT playmaker Sidney Crosby, who famously wears No. 87.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821084/cropped_GettyImages-2200985208.jpg?ts=1770569167" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821084/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200985208.jpg?ts=1770569167 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821084/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200985208.jpg?ts=1770569167 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821084/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200985208.jpg?ts=1770569167 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821084/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200985208.jpg?ts=1770569167 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821084/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200985208.jpg?ts=1770569167 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brian Babineau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"Nasty, 8-7," Connor McDavid interjects from a stall over."Risky play there at the end, 8-7!" Marchand adds with delight.McDavid turns to face Marchand with the kind of natural, full-faced smile almost never seen from the stoic superstar. He can't wait for the punch line."Eh? Between the legs? Back to our zone? Not a big deal!" Marchand continues as Crosby and McDavid, two generational players, share a laugh.That scene, <a href="https://x.com/NHL/status/1890162921029636477">captured</a> for a mic'd-up social media post, played out on Feb. 12, 2025. Crosby, McDavid, Marchand, and the rest of a stacked Canadian team open a three-game round-robin schedule at the Milan Cortina Games one year to the day with a tilt against Czechia on Thursday.Marchand, 37, is the oldest NHLer - of any nationality - making his Olympic debut in Italy. It's safe to assume one of the sport's greatest left-wingers, agitators, and off-ice characters won't be wasting a single moment overseas."Marchy's not shy around anybody. That's just his personality," Canada defenseman Drew Doughty told theScore when asked about Marchand's antics at national team events. "The on-ice performance is why he made the Olympic team, but how he is off the ice is definitely another aspect of it."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821085/cropped_GettyImages-107316238.jpg?ts=1770569373" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821085/w220xh124_GettyImages-107316238.jpg?ts=1770569373 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821085/w320xh180_GettyImages-107316238.jpg?ts=1770569373 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821085/w640xh360_GettyImages-107316238.jpg?ts=1770569373 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821085/w768xh432_GettyImages-107316238.jpg?ts=1770569373 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821085/w1080xh607_GettyImages-107316238.jpg?ts=1770569373 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steve Babineau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Canada's 22-man skater group features a preposterous 17 first-round picks, including four first overall phenoms and another five top-five selections. The rest: two third-round picks, one fourth-rounder, and two sixth-rounders.The Boston Bruins selected Marchand in the third round, 71st overall, in 2006. He became a full-time NHLer during the 2010-11 campaign but didn't gain true first-liner status until 2015-16 - after the 2014 Winter Games. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native enters this year's Olympic tournament with two Stanley Cup rings (Boston 2011, Florida Panthers 2025) and 1,188 points across 1,326 regular-season and playoff games.Marchand, listed at roughly 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, is Canada's shortest and lightest player yet arguably its most fearless."In those early years, no one was ever talking about Brad being someone who would make it," JP MacCallum, Marchand's offseason trainer for the past 25 years, said recently. "Nobody was having the conversation of, 'Oh yeah, he's going to be a consistent NHLer,' and produce the way he has. No one."But he worked on being explosive, powerful. He found a way to define his space on the ice because he was quick, agile in corners, and had tremendous strength for his size. That caught - and still catches - many bigger opponents off guard. It's not every day a 5-foot-9 guy stands you up in the corner."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821083/cropped_GettyImages-2254788302.jpg?ts=1770569030" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821083/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254788302.jpg?ts=1770569030 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821083/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254788302.jpg?ts=1770569030 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821083/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254788302.jpg?ts=1770569030 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821083/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254788302.jpg?ts=1770569030 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821083/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254788302.jpg?ts=1770569030 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Marchand's mom, Lynn, told <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/brad-marchandfrom-cocky-kid-to-party-animal-to-nhl-superstar">WEEI</a> in 2016 that young Brad was not only an extremely energetic and competitive boy but also a mischievous one. That naughty side got him into loads of trouble over the first 12 or so years of his career.The man whom Barack Obama referred to as the Little Ball of Hate sucker-punched, elbowed, slew-footed, cross-checked, clipped, speared, and high-sticked his way to an NHL-record eight suspensions totaling 28 games from 2011-22. Marchand was also fined five times during his devilish period, while several other controversial incidents didn't result in supplemental discipline - most notably multiple instances in which he licked an opponent."I have done things that have stepped over that line, and I've paid the price for it," Marchand wrote in <a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/brad-marchand-built-for-boston-bruins">The Players' Tribune</a> in 2018. "But you know what? There's a lot of people out there in the hockey world who love to say, 'Winning is everything. It's the only thing.' But do they really mean it?"How far are they willing to go? Maybe it was my size or just the way I was born, but I've always felt like you have to be willing to do anything - literally anything - in order to win. Even if that means being hated."Before the 2016 World Cup, the so-called Rat King was veering toward a career filled with complementary production and endless drama. The eight-team event turned out to be a confidence-boosting launchpad. Marchand bagged a tournament-high five goals, including the title-clincher.He then put together the most productive stretch of his life: four straight seasons of 85-plus points (85, 85, 100, 87) in his late 20s and early 30s.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821269/cropped_GettyImages-611481884.jpg?ts=1770671594" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821269/w220xh124_GettyImages-611481884.jpg?ts=1770671594 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821269/w320xh180_GettyImages-611481884.jpg?ts=1770671594 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821269/w640xh360_GettyImages-611481884.jpg?ts=1770671594 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821269/w768xh432_GettyImages-611481884.jpg?ts=1770671594 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821269/w1080xh607_GettyImages-611481884.jpg?ts=1770671594 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Marchand revealed at the 4 Nations that the World Cup experience made him realize the elite of the elite tend to be irrationally confident in themselves."My mindset changed, and I started believing (I could make a major impact) every time I stepped on the ice," he said. "Whether it was true or not, I would tell myself I was the best player. I had that mindset - a little bit of an internal arrogance and confidence - and it helped me get to another level."While Marchand's peak agitator days are long gone, he hasn't dropped the rat act altogether. The NHL Players' Association asked hundreds of its members which player they least enjoy playing against but would like to have on their team, and Marchand was the top vote-getter during the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons. He was also crowned the league's best and worst trash talker in 2019-20.After being on the receiving end of a sucker punch from Sam Bennett in a 2024 playoff game, the former Bruins captain, following a trade to Florida a year later, quickly chirped at Bennett in the Panthers' group chat upon his arrival.Marchand's recent off-ice antics include <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/bruins/brad-marchand-goes-after-toronto-media-on-twitter">sparring</a> with media members on Twitter; talking openly about contentious issues, such as <a href="https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-hurricanes-marchand-trocheck-revenge-troll-revenge-after-blowout-win-over-bruins-162726490.html">escrow payments</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/marchand-credits-lack-of-state-tax-in-decision-to-re-sign-with-panthers/">state taxes</a>; "<a href="https://x.com/reporterchris/status/1935869507731669096">thanking</a>" teammates' old clubs on Instagram while celebrating Florida's 2025 Cup victory; and <a href="https://x.com/Arunthings/status/2008588478985236652">blaming</a> Maple Leafs fans for Marner's departure.Love or hate him, Marchand's an entertainer in the entertainment business - a feisty, wisecracking rascal who welcomes the bright lights of stardom."He wears that chip on his shoulder so well," said ex-NHL defenseman Jason Demers, who played with Marchand in the QMJHL. "People try to figure out if it's a show, but that's him. He's authentic. What you see is what you get."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821299/cropped_GettyImages-2260577355.jpg?ts=1770681273" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821299/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260577355.jpg?ts=1770681273 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821299/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260577355.jpg?ts=1770681273 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821299/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260577355.jpg?ts=1770681273 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821299/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260577355.jpg?ts=1770681273 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821299/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260577355.jpg?ts=1770681273 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Marchand can play wing on any of Canada's forward lines. During Milan practices, he's skated with Nathan MacKinnon, whom he and Crosby train alongside every offseason, and Nick Suzuki. He can be a utility piece on special teams and assume an unofficial spokesperson role with extra media responsibilities.Having someone with his on-ice versatility and off-ice swagger can only be a positive for the collective psyche of a group trying to win a gold medal."He's one of those rare guys that leads not only vocally but also by example," Demers said before suggesting that the mutual respect between Marchand and head coach Jon Cooper could lead to extra ice time. "I could see Brad getting some penalty-killing time, maybe some second-unit power-play time."Marchand took a leave of absence from the Panthers earlier this season to support MacCallum, whose 10-year-old daughter, Selah, lost a battle with cancer in late October. Back home in Halifax, Marchand helped raise money for the family and coach MacCallum's Under-18 team as the father grieved.MacCallum says his longtime client and close friend is more or less the same gregarious, hard-working, generous, ultra-competitive dude all these years later. But he's witnessed one key area of growth: Marchand's ability to remain present.That change has been visible in Italy - when he <a href="http://x.com/NHL/status/2020944016808743178">jumped</a> while a team photo was being taken to avoid looking shorter than everyone else. And as he <a href="http://x.com/HabsOnReddit/status/2020616775264846251">said</a>, "Oui, je m'appelle Nick Suzuki," in his linemate's ear during a media scrum. And when he <a href="http://x.com/HockeyCanada/status/2020532760449016030">picked</a> "hardworking, gritty, handsome" as the three words he'd use to describe his playing style."He knows the spotlight on McDavid and on Crosby is so much greater than whatever happens to be on him," MacCallum said. "He can play in the shadows. He can produce then joke around. In any locker room, you want one of those guys that can keep everybody a little loose and break the ice, especially in moments when things get tense or the pressure gets high."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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What does Brad Marchand, first-time Olympian, have up his sleeve?

The "Breadman" is headed to Southern California.  The New York Rangers traded superstar Artemi Pa...

The "Breadman" is headed to Southern California.The New York Rangers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3436478" href="https://thescore.com/news/3436478">traded</a> superstar Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday afternoon in exchange for forward prospect Liam Greentree, a conditional 2026 third-round pick, and a conditional 2028 fourth-rounder.The third-rounder upgrades to a second-rounder if Los Angeles wins one playoff series this season, while the fourth heads to New York only if L.A. wins two series.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Time to hand out some grades.<h3>Los Angeles Kings</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820520/cropped_GettyImages-2254247899.jpg?ts=1770239871" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820520/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254247899.jpg?ts=1770239871 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820520/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254247899.jpg?ts=1770239871 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820520/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254247899.jpg?ts=1770239871 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820520/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254247899.jpg?ts=1770239871 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820520/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254247899.jpg?ts=1770239871 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jared Silber / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Kings have landed the most talented player available - arguably a top 20 skater on the planet - a month ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Bravo.The sweetener, of course, is that Panarin arrives on a two-year, $22-million contract extension that will keep him in L.A. through the 2027-28 season.The 34-year-old is a world-class playmaker with the fifth-most points in the league since his rookie campaign in 2015-16. The right-handed left winger led the Rangers in points in each of his seven campaigns in New York. Even amid retooling talk this year, he bagged 19 goals and added 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games.The on-ice fit is virtually perfect. Aside from speedy winger Adrian Kempe and crafty defenseman Brandt Clarke, the Kings' attack is painfully uncreative, and Panarin is, if nothing else, an offensive catalyst. A puck-transporting king, he ranks fifth among all NHLers this year in zone exits per game and eighth in offensive-zone puck possession time, according to Sportlogiq.Panarin, suddenly the Kings' highest-paid player, will be tasked with breathing life into an attack that sits in the bottom five in total goals, five-on-five goals, and power-play efficiency. With franchise icon and captain Anze Kopitar playing his final NHL season and longtime No. 1 defenseman Drew Doughty getting closer to the twilight of his career, the Kings decided to go bold.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820521/cropped_GettyImages-2211043575.jpg?ts=1770240041" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820521/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211043575.jpg?ts=1770240041 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820521/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211043575.jpg?ts=1770240041 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820521/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211043575.jpg?ts=1770240041 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820521/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211043575.jpg?ts=1770240041 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820521/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211043575.jpg?ts=1770240041 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> MediaNews Group / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The fascinating part of all of this is that I don't think this trade, as big as it is, necessarily pushes the Kings into the inner circle of Stanley Cup contenders. L.A., a lockdown defensive team, sits one point behind the Western Conference cutline, and the West is an absolute gauntlet. The Central Division features three powerhouses in Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota, while the Pacific is home to Vegas and Edmonton. Connor McDavid and the Oilers have famously ended the Kings' last four seasons in Round 1 - most recently winning in six games.It wouldn't be surprising in the slightest if, even with Panarin leading the charge, L.A. loses again in the first or second round. The top of the West is lethal, and the Kings' ceiling is still not legitimate-Cup-contender high.That said, general manager Ken Holland deserves props for betting on talent. If 2025-26 doesn't work out, the front office can rework the roster in the offseason and take another crack at a deep playoff run. Try again in 2027-28.Bonus: Holland didn't get carried away with the extension length. Panarin turns 35 in October, which means his shift-to-shift impact will likely begin to decline soon. There's little chance this becomes an anchor contract.The cherry on top is that the Kings surrendered zero premium assets.Grade: A<h3>New York Rangers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820528/cropped_GettyImages-2160117993.jpg?ts=1770242365" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820528/w220xh124_GettyImages-2160117993.jpg?ts=1770242365 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820528/w320xh180_GettyImages-2160117993.jpg?ts=1770242365 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820528/w640xh360_GettyImages-2160117993.jpg?ts=1770242365 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820528/w768xh432_GettyImages-2160117993.jpg?ts=1770242365 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820528/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2160117993.jpg?ts=1770242365 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Let's talk power dynamics.Panarin had power over Rangers GM Chris Drury in two crucial ways. His contract included a no-move clause, and he wanted an extension attached to any trade. Panarin was, to a large extent, dictating his landing spot.However, Drury had power over Panarin in one important way. While the Olympic roster freeze set the stage for an artificial "first" trade deadline across the league, deals can still be made between the end of the Winter Games and the official March 6 deadline. (Remember, Russia is banned from the Olympics, so there's no risk of Panarin getting hurt over the next few weeks.)In that sense, Drury rushed the transaction, and the lack of patience resulted in an underwhelming return, especially considering the Rangers helped the Kings by retaining 50% of Panarin's $11.6 million salary in 2025-26.Waiting out Holland through the break surely would have driven up the price.Panarin was Drury's most valuable trade asset during what he's labelled a retool (but, in practice, is more a rebuild). The executive needed to reel in a first-round pick, an elite prospect, or both. Instead, he failed to pry a first out of L.A., and the centerpiece is a good but not great prospect.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820530/cropped_GettyImages-2200006841.jpg?ts=1770243190" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820530/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200006841.jpg?ts=1770243190 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820530/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200006841.jpg?ts=1770243190 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820530/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200006841.jpg?ts=1770243190 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820530/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200006841.jpg?ts=1770243190 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820530/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200006841.jpg?ts=1770243190 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Greentree looks like a future NHLer, potentially one with a long career in the top six. He's, by all accounts, a solid addition. Yet the 20-year-old sniper doesn't project to move the needle at the NHL level, with scouts expressing concerns about the 6-foot-3, 216-pound winger's skating and compete level. The industry's preeminent prospect analyst, The Athletic's Corey Pronman, placed Greentree 134th in his <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6946124/2026/01/13/nhl-prospects-rankings-u23-celebrini-bedard/">January ranking</a> of all under-23 players associated with NHL clubs. Again, he's a good but not great prospect.Acquiring Greentree and a first would have been a notable return. Greentree, plus a guaranteed second- and third-rounder, would have even made for a reasonable deal. But to trade Panarin for Greentree and two uncertain picks? Not good enough, even with Panarin heavily influencing negotiations.In baseball terms, Drury didn't strike out. He hit a single - and that's it.Grade: C-John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Panarin trade grades: Kings address pressing need, Rangers get antsy

Welcome to the sixth edition of the All-Nobody Team!  This exercise scans all 32 teams for previo...

Welcome to the sixth edition of the All-Nobody Team!This exercise scans all 32 teams for previously obscure players who've begun to make meaningful names for themselves. As the league readies for the Olympic break, which relative nobodies can we now call somebodies?As in years past, the player pool is limited to those who 1) were drafted after the second round or not at all, and 2) entered the season with fewer than 500 five-on-five minutes played in the regular season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>(Stud Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin technically qualifies within these parameters. However, we chose to exclude the well-hyped rookie since he was far from an unknown commodity coming into the year.)Below are three forwards, two defensemen, and one goalie who make up the 2025-26 All-Nobody Team. The next <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2127553">Carter Verhaeghe</a>, <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2262985">Michael Bunting</a>, <a href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2534318">Logan Thompson</a>, <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2839928">Michael Kesselring</a>, or <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3165975">Dustin Wolf</a> is in here somewhere.<h3>Justin Sourdif, F</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820200/cropped_GettyImages-2253600825.jpg?ts=1770068416" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820200/w220xh124_GettyImages-2253600825.jpg?ts=1770068416 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820200/w320xh180_GettyImages-2253600825.jpg?ts=1770068416 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820200/w640xh360_GettyImages-2253600825.jpg?ts=1770068416 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820200/w768xh432_GettyImages-2253600825.jpg?ts=1770068416 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820200/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2253600825.jpg?ts=1770068416 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jess Rapfogel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>There were two types of reactions to the Capitals acquiring Sourdif from the Panthers last June in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder.The first: confused pessimism. Why in the world would Washington trade two picks, including a valuable second-rounder, for a 23-year-old with middling AHL stats and four NHL appearances? Who is this Sourdif guy, anyway?Second: cautious optimism. That's a steep price, but the Caps have a history of finding hidden gems. General manager Chris Patrick deserves the benefit of the doubt.Sourdif, who signed a two-year, $1.65-million contract a few days after the trade, has made Patrick look clever. The center/right-winger has flashed tremendous quickness, competitiveness, and smarts to start his Caps tenure.He's up to 26 points, thanks in large part to a developing shot, and is already one of Washington's top play-drivers (53.5% expected goals rate). The Caps have outscored the opposition 35-21 in the rookie's 707 five-on-five minutes.Injuries to Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nic Dowd forced head coach Spencer Carbery to beef up Sourdif's usage early in the season. He's gone from fourth-line winger to second-line center matching up against Connor McDavid. Sourdif recorded five points (three goals, two assists) against the Ducks in early January and bagged the game-winner against the Hurricanes on Saturday."Sometimes, circumstances provide opportunity for young players, and then that opportunity, it's on them to take advantage of that," Carbery <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2434608613619750">told reporters</a> after the five-point eruption. "That's exactly what he's done."<h3>Arseny Gritsyuk, F</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820230/cropped_GettyImages-2254408360.jpg?ts=1770075188" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820230/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254408360.jpg?ts=1770075188 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820230/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254408360.jpg?ts=1770075188 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820230/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254408360.jpg?ts=1770075188 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820230/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254408360.jpg?ts=1770075188 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820230/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254408360.jpg?ts=1770075188 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jason Mowry / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Gritsyuk's emergence carries more weight than the other All-Nobody players.The 2019 fifth-round pick entered the season as a veteran pro, having spent parts of five seasons in arguably the second-best league in the world - the KHL. The Devils winger turns 25 in March and is set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July, when his one-year entry-level deal ends.New Jersey is last in the NHL in five-on-five offense, and Gritsyuk is tied with franchise forwards Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt in five-on-five points (19) despite playing significantly fewer minutes. The six-foot Russian offers a versatile skill set, leading head coach Sheldon Keefe to use him on 14 different line combinations through 52 games (minimum 10 minutes as a group). He has a nasty release and sits third among NHL rookies in shots on goal (118).Given the Devils' lack of secondary scoring, GM Tom Fitzgerald should be prioritizing a Gritsyuk extension over the Olympic break. He can be a top-nine fixture.Off the ice, Gritsyuk has endeared himself to New Jersey fans through whimsical social media posts. He writes about adjusting to the NHL and American culture and shares video clips of his wife and daughter. He recently used Meta smart glasses to capture a <a href="https://x.com/devilsfanatics/status/2017292698600821119">day in the life</a> of an NHLer.<h3>Emmitt Finnie, F</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820231/cropped_GettyImages-2249836647.jpg?ts=1770075630" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820231/w220xh124_GettyImages-2249836647.jpg?ts=1770075630 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820231/w320xh180_GettyImages-2249836647.jpg?ts=1770075630 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820231/w640xh360_GettyImages-2249836647.jpg?ts=1770075630 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820231/w768xh432_GettyImages-2249836647.jpg?ts=1770075630 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820231/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2249836647.jpg?ts=1770075630 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Liv Lyons / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The typical seventh-round pick has a long development arc. It can take one a handful of years to fix flaws, mature physically, and start to look like an NHLer.Finnie, pick No. 201 out of 224 in the 2023 draft, is by no means a fully formed player. Yet, the 20-year-old from Lethbridge, Alberta, is no normal seventh-rounder, considering he ascended from relative obscurity to first-line left wing on a playoff-caliber team in short order. Get this: Finnie's 57 games are tied for eighth in the 2023 class and lead all 192 players chosen after the first round.While Finnie is currently playing down the lineup amid a 19-game goalless drought, he's skated alongside captain Dylan Larkin and leading scorer Lucas Raymond for roughly half of his rookie campaign. He's capable of filling the worker bee role on a top-six line because he's a dogged forechecker who possesses enough pace and skill to elevate star linemates.Finnie is one of three rookie forwards on the Wings but the only to stick with the big club the entire year. A pesky, net-driving game is a major reason why. His total production may be pedestrian (nine goals and 12 assists following a hot eight-point opening month), but his plus-15 penalty differential is tied for third among all NHLers.<h3>Elias Pettersson and Joel Nystrom, D</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820233/cropped_GettyImages-2258154084.jpg?ts=1770076045" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820233/w220xh124_GettyImages-2258154084.jpg?ts=1770076045 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820233/w320xh180_GettyImages-2258154084.jpg?ts=1770076045 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820233/w640xh360_GettyImages-2258154084.jpg?ts=1770076045 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820233/w768xh432_GettyImages-2258154084.jpg?ts=1770076045 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820233/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2258154084.jpg?ts=1770076045 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Derek Cain / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Pettersson, 21, is best known outside of Vancouver for sharing a name with the Canucks' highest-paid player. But there's some substance to his story.He's a throwback defenseman who can clear the front of the net, block shots, and issue heavy hits. He's also a plus skater for his size (6-foot-3, 209 pounds).The 2022 third-rounder is part of a young wave on the back end. Vancouver's left side is essentially locked in for the foreseeable future, with Pettersson, Zeev Buium, and Tom Willander all showing promise in their early 20s.Nystrom, who, like Pettersson, hails from Sweden, is in his first full season in North America. He needed a mere 23 NHL games to receive a contract extension from the Hurricanes ($4.9 million over four years starting next season).Carolina loves the right-shot blue-liner's hockey sense. Nystrom isn't overly big, but he fits the club's pressuring play style. He's rocking an outrageous five-on-five expected goals rate of 60.5% while playing 15:10 a night.<h3>Brandon Bussi, G</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820232/cropped_GettyImages-2256574739.jpg?ts=1770075830" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820232/w220xh124_GettyImages-2256574739.jpg?ts=1770075830 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820232/w320xh180_GettyImages-2256574739.jpg?ts=1770075830 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820232/w640xh360_GettyImages-2256574739.jpg?ts=1770075830 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820232/w768xh432_GettyImages-2256574739.jpg?ts=1770075830 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820232/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2256574739.jpg?ts=1770075830 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Josh Lavallee / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Bussi, a former standout at Western Michigan, signed with the Bruins as an undrafted free agent in March 2022. He spent three seasons in Boston's system before inking a one-year, two-way deal with the Panthers last July.Florida tried to sneak the South Beach, New York, native through waivers before the season, but Carolina claimed him. Bussi's been on a meteoric rise ever since, taking control of the Hurricanes' net with other goalies sidelined.In December, the 27-year-old became the fastest NHLer to earn 10 career wins (11 games) and, in February, accomplished the same feat with 20 wins (24 games). Following a strong performance against the Senators on Tuesday, he's 22-3-1 with a .905 save percentage. According to Sportlogiq, he's saved 23.3 goals above expected in 26 games."He's been so steady ever since he showed up here," Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal told reporters after the 4-3 victory over Ottawa. "He's steady but also makes the big saves, too, in big moments. Tonight was no different. There were probably four or five that were huge. He's been unbelievable."Bussi, a big and aggressive right-catching netminder, has been filling highlight reels with athletic save sequences. He would garner down-ballot Calder Trophy votes if the season ended today and he were eligible (too old). The pending RFA is the NHL's best bargain: $775,000 against the cap.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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The All-Nobody Team: 6 NHLers quickly becoming somebodies

Combining his own perspective with what he's been hearing from those in and around the game, seni...

Combining his own perspective with what he's been hearing from those in and around the game, senior NHL writer John Matisz breaks down the hot topics across the hockey landscape.<h3>Ranking 10 Panarin destinations</h3>Artemi Panarin, the crown jewel of trade assets for the retooling Rangers, is in complete control.The pending unrestricted free agent is being held out of New York's lineup until further notice to avoid injury. His contract includes a full no-move clause. And his representation is talking directly to interested teams in hopes of facilitating a contract extension as part of what will surely be a massive trade.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>For all intents and purposes, Panarin is a midseason free agent.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819859/cropped_GettyImages-2242282855.jpg?ts=1769820980" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819859/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242282855.jpg?ts=1769820980 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819859/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242282855.jpg?ts=1769820980 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819859/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242282855.jpg?ts=1769820980 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819859/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242282855.jpg?ts=1769820980 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819859/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242282855.jpg?ts=1769820980 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Nearly half of the league has <a href="https://x.com/KevinWeekes/status/2017002084223025643">reportedly</a> "expressed interest" in acquiring the premier playmaker, though his $11.6-million cap hit complicates any deal.As a follow-up to colleague Sean O'Leary's Panarin <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3457187" href="https://thescore.com/news/3457187">landing spots piece</a> from Jan. 17, here's a ranking of 10 destinations. They're in order of most likely to appeal to Panarin based on what we know about the 34-year-old winger.<ol>
<li>
Kings: cosmopolitan city, money to spend, desperate for scoring.</li>
<li>
Panthers: winning culture, Russian ties, nice weather, low taxes.</li>
<li>
Sharks: money to spend, young core led by Macklin Celebrini.</li>
<li>
Islanders: no moving required, core led by Matthew Schaefer.</li>
<li>
Lightning: same as Panthers but better long-term cap picture.</li>
<li>
Red Wings: ascendent Original Six club.</li>
<li>
Capitals: need for Alex Ovechkin successor.</li>
<li>
Wild: Stanley Cup contender with Russians.</li>
<li>
Stars: long Cup contention window.</li>
<li>
Mammoth: need for veteran producer.</li>
</ol><h3>Rookie Wallstedt on the trade block?</h3>Earlier this week, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and The Athletic's Michael Russo floated Jesper Wallstedt's name as a potential trade chip for the Wild.Minnesota selected Wallstedt 20th overall in the 2021 draft. The Swedish netminder is in the middle of a fantastic rookie season - .914 save percentage, four shutouts, and 18.7 goals saved above expected in 22 appearances.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819849/cropped_GettyImages-2251091613.jpg?ts=1769813175" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819849/w220xh124_GettyImages-2251091613.jpg?ts=1769813175 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819849/w320xh180_GettyImages-2251091613.jpg?ts=1769813175 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819849/w640xh360_GettyImages-2251091613.jpg?ts=1769813175 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819849/w768xh432_GettyImages-2251091613.jpg?ts=1769813175 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819849/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2251091613.jpg?ts=1769813175 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Kluckhohn / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The 31-14-10 Wild sit second in the Central Division. General manager Bill Guerin needs a top-six center and is motivated to stay aggressive following the grand-slam acquisition of Quinn Hughes. Hughes may eventually re-sign, but as of now, he's set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2027, meaning the Wild are guaranteed just two playoff runs (at most) with the superstar defenseman.The Wild have a starting goalie in Filip Gustavsson, who's 27 and under contract through 2030-31. So I get why Wallstedt isn't an untouchable piece. But trading a 23-year-old with so much promise would be extremely risky."It's interesting," texted a member of an Eastern Conference front office. Having two starter-caliber goalies under 30 is "an embarrassment of riches that will get expensive quick, so I can understand leveraging it. The funny thing is, I think I would probably rather keep and build around Wallstedt?"My two cents: Guerin shouldn't trade Wallstedt unless the center coming back is a proven, relatively young first-line pivot like Robert Thomas of the Blues.<h3>Doughty: 'I can definitely create more'</h3>Drew Doughty and Sidney Crosby are the only members of Team Canada with Olympic experience. Both won gold in Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014).Asked in Buffalo on Thursday to evaluate his own game a couple of weeks out from the start of the men's tournament in Italy, Doughty let out a big sigh."I'm not doing well at all offensively," the Kings defenseman told theScore prior to a 4-1 loss to the Sabres. "But the sad thing is that I do feel like I'm playing really good hockey. I'm moving better. Yeah, I'm not at all happy with my production, but I am happy with my defensive game. I need to really play well these last five games."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819854/cropped_GettyImages-2255439087.jpg?ts=1769816148" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819854/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255439087.jpg?ts=1769816148 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819854/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255439087.jpg?ts=1769816148 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819854/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255439087.jpg?ts=1769816148 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819854/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255439087.jpg?ts=1769816148 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819854/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255439087.jpg?ts=1769816148 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Doughty, who turned 36 in December, failed to record a point against the Sabres to extend his pointless skid to 14 games, including all 13 following Canada's roster reveal. Is the issue puck luck? Poor play? A mix of both?"I could definitely do more. I'm probably not getting some of the bounces, too," said Doughty, before adding that reduced power-play time doesn't help."But, no, that's on me," he continued. "I'm definitely creating some chances, but at the same time I can definitely create more. I need to step up."For what it's worth, Doughty sees his Olympic role being strictly defensive."That's all it'll be, and I've focused on that. Every night, I have the toughest matchups. I thrive on them and usually do a pretty good job of shutting down the other team's best players. And that's why Team Canada took me."<h3>Off-side D-man duty a serious test</h3>Prediction: There will be plenty of discussion about defensemen playing their off-sides during the Olympics. Canadian Shea Theodore, American Jake Sanderson, Swede Rasmus Dahlin, and Finn Miro Heiskanen all shoot left but could easily end up playing the entire tournament on the right side.There are advantages and disadvantages to being a lefty RD or righty LD.Atop the advantages: It's infinitely easier to fire off a high-quality one-timer.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819835/cropped_GettyImages-2245408080.jpg?ts=1769803547" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819835/w220xh124_GettyImages-2245408080.jpg?ts=1769803547 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819835/w320xh180_GettyImages-2245408080.jpg?ts=1769803547 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819835/w640xh360_GettyImages-2245408080.jpg?ts=1769803547 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819835/w768xh432_GettyImages-2245408080.jpg?ts=1769803547 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819835/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2245408080.jpg?ts=1769803547 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"The challenges are more on the defensive side," Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who's frequently played on his off-side over a 10-year career, said.Sergachev is a left-shot defenseman, which means his right hand controls his stick in all defensive situations. If he's tasked with swarming the puck carrier on the right side of Utah's zone, for instance, his stick shades toward the goal line, not the blue line. This subtle difference opens a passing lane on his left side, allowing the offensive player to funnel the puck into the slot more easily."It's tough for me in that specific situation because my stick is pointing to the outside (away from the high-danger area), not the inside," Sergachev said.Overall, a defenseman playing his off-side is often forced into using his backhand - to pick up pucks off the wall, break up zone entries, make passes in transition - which is not ideal. It's awkward, unnatural, and anxiety-inducing.There's minimal time and space in NHL games. If the 4 Nations Face-Off was any preview of what Olympic hockey might look like, oh boy, are we in for a fast-paced, tight-checking two weeks of action. Good luck, off-side D-men.<h3>Schaefer's the full package - and more</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819820/cropped_GettyImages-2254290373.jpg?ts=1769794365" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819820/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254290373.jpg?ts=1769794365 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819820/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254290373.jpg?ts=1769794365 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819820/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254290373.jpg?ts=1769794365 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819820/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254290373.jpg?ts=1769794365 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819820/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254290373.jpg?ts=1769794365 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Matthew Schaefer is apparently a man of his word.The Islanders have swept their season series with the Rangers for the first time since 2017-18 - just as Schaefer half-jokingly predicted at the 2025 draft."We're going to beat the Rangers every time we play them," the first overall pick said last June. On Thursday, <a href="https://x.com/RyanFieldABC/status/2017074432485871957">Schaefer added</a> this playful jab after a 2-1 Isles win at Madison Square Garden: "Our fans are way louder than theirs."On top of acing the eye test every single night, Schaefer's up to 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 54 games while skating 24 minutes a night. The Isles are plus-13 with him on the ice at five-on-five - tops on the team.Infectious personality, superstar talent - what's not to love about this kid?My favorite tidbit: Schaefer, the NHL's youngest player, leads all defensemen in penalty differential. He's drawn 29 minor penalties - trailing only Connor McDavid (32) and Macklin Celebrini (31) - while taking 14 himself. That plus-15 differential is almost double No. 2 blue-liner Philip Broberg's plus-eight mark.<h3>Breakouts powering Buffalo's run</h3>The Sabres are on the heater of heaters - 20 wins in 24 games since Dec. 9.Two weeks ago, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3456379" href="https://thescore.com/news/3456379">I wrote about</a> 23-year-old Josh Doan and his shift-to-shift two-way impact helping the rest of the forward group click into place. Noah Ostlund is another youngster breaking out - albeit in a more understated way.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819841/cropped_GettyImages-2253625310.jpg?ts=1769807000" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819841/w220xh124_GettyImages-2253625310.jpg?ts=1769807000 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819841/w320xh180_GettyImages-2253625310.jpg?ts=1769807000 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819841/w640xh360_GettyImages-2253625310.jpg?ts=1769807000 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819841/w768xh432_GettyImages-2253625310.jpg?ts=1769807000 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819841/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2253625310.jpg?ts=1769807000 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Glenn James / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ostlund, who's up to 18 points in 41 games at center and wing, was best known coming into the year for his offensive instincts and creative playmaking. But the 21-year-old rookie has gained a reputation for savvy off-puck play. He's leveraging hockey IQ to be in the right place at the right time."He reads the game really well, supports the puck really well in the defensive zone," Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn said. "If you get into a spot where you're under pressure, scrambling a bit, you can trust that he's going to go to the exact place the coaching staff wants a player in that scenario to go. If we're trying to execute an east-west breakout play, and I'm getting pinned in the corner, I can trust that he's going to be there as a safety valve.”On one hand, former GM Kevyn Adams must be face-palming every time he tunes into a Sabres broadcast. He was fired three games into the epic run.On the other hand, Adams can point to the trajectories of Doan, Ostlund, and other young studs in his next job interview. He brought these kids to Buffalo.<h3>No weak link (yet) in deep Atlantic</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819855/cropped_GettyImages-2256951699.jpg?ts=1769816485" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819855/w220xh124_GettyImages-2256951699.jpg?ts=1769816485 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819855/w320xh180_GettyImages-2256951699.jpg?ts=1769816485 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819855/w640xh360_GettyImages-2256951699.jpg?ts=1769816485 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819855/w768xh432_GettyImages-2256951699.jpg?ts=1769816485 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819855/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2256951699.jpg?ts=1769816485 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>We've been waiting years for this kind of season in the Atlantic Division - one in which the old and new guards collide to make a mess of the standings.The 2025-26 Atlantic is shaping up to be one of the NHL's deepest divisions since the four-division format was introduced in 2013-14. All eight teams, from first-place Tampa Bay (.692) to last-place Toronto (.528), boast a points percentage of .500 or higher at roughly the two-thirds mark of the season. Toronto owns a higher PTS% than seven teams from across the league.The 2013-14 Central, 2014-15 Central, 2018-19 Central, and 2019-20 Central are the only divisions with comparable one-to-eight depth. The '14-15 Central, which featured the Cup-winning Blackhawks, was absolutely stacked:<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>2014-15 Central</th>
<th>Points</th>
<th>PTS% </th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>St. Louis</td>
<td>109</td>
<td>.665</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nashville</td>
<td>104</td>
<td>.634</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chicago</td>
<td>102</td>
<td>.622</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Minnesota</td>
<td>100</td>
<td>.610</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Winnipeg</td>
<td>99</td>
<td>.604</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dallas</td>
<td>92</td>
<td>.561</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colorado</td>
<td>90</td>
<td>.549 </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>The 2025-26 Atlantic is a slightly different story, as the Maple Leafs and seventh-place Senators are staying afloat mostly thanks to overtime losses.Given Toronto's current skid (one win in nine games) and general direction (probable trade deadline sellers), the Leafs likely drop below .500 soon.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future NHL Inbox editions.<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore app</li>
<li>Email John at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a>
</li>
<li>Send John a message on X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
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Doug Armstrong anticipated the question. His rationale was ready.  It was Dec. 31, and the genera...

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Why Canada has fallen so far behind in goaltending development

Any hope that former Maple Leafs star winger Mitch Marner would receive a warm welcome in his ret...

Any hope that former Maple Leafs star winger Mitch Marner would receive a warm welcome in his return to Toronto was squashed last week.Traveling Leaf fans booed Marner in his home rink during an eventual 6-5 Golden Knights overtime win in Las Vegas, and the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3460391" href="https://thescore.com/news/3460391">boos will continue</a> - presumably in full-throated fashion - Friday night at Scotiabank Arena.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3456379" href="https://thescore.com/news/3456379">As I wrote</a> over the weekend, the Leafs and Marner are better off without each other. Both parties needed the divorce. Heck, the fans needed relief, too.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>So, how's it going without Marner?The Leafs own a 24-17-9 record and a .570 points percentage 50 games into Craig Berube's second year behind the bench. On pace for 93 points, Toronto currently holds down the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference.The Leafs finished last season with a 52-26-4 record, a .659 points percentage, 108 points, and top seeding in the Atlantic Division before losing in Round 2 to the Panthers.Let's try to make sense of the 2025-26 team and its arc.<h3>Welcome back, Peak Matthews</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818608/cropped_GettyImages-2256118178.jpg?ts=1769101990" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818608/w220xh124_GettyImages-2256118178.jpg?ts=1769101990 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818608/w320xh180_GettyImages-2256118178.jpg?ts=1769101990 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818608/w640xh360_GettyImages-2256118178.jpg?ts=1769101990 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818608/w768xh432_GettyImages-2256118178.jpg?ts=1769101990 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818608/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2256118178.jpg?ts=1769101990 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Martin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Nobody has scored more goals than Auston Matthews since the Leafs captain made his legendary debut in October 2016. Yet for the majority of 2024-25 and the first three months of this season, Matthews mostly blended in.He looked sluggish and encumbered - likely stalled by injuries, both nagging and new. His output reflected it: 14 goals and nine assists in his first 31 games. Then the Leafs broke for the holidays. Upon their return, Matthews resumed beating goalies at a superstar rate and hasn't let up since.Matthews has gone from producing 0.60 goals and 0.74 points per game before the break to 0.85 and 1.46 in 13 post-break games off 11 goals and eight assists.The points are nice and necessary - Matthews' $13.25-million cap hit trails only Leon Draisaitl's $14 million. But it's the eye test that's the most encouraging. Matthews is back to dominating shifts in a way few NHLers can. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound center is galloping through the neutral zone with purpose, making precise reads and passes, driving to the net with authority, and shooting the puck with his trademark mix of power, grace, and deception.Sportlogiq data supports the "he's so back" vibe. Here's where Matthews ranks among all NHL forwards in a number of salient per-game metrics:<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Metric</th>
<th>Before break (rank)</th>
<th>After break (rank)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Expected goals</td>
<td>0.46 (15th)</td>
<td>0.63 (4th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slot passes</td>
<td>2.00 (34th)</td>
<td>2.62 (11th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slot shots</td>
<td>2.00 (14th)</td>
<td>3.62 (1st)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rush chances</td>
<td>1.19 (8th)</td>
<td>1.77 (2nd)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cycle chances</td>
<td>1.23 (50th)</td>
<td> 1.69 (18th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Forecheck chances</td>
<td>0.26 (95th)</td>
<td>0.54 (11th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rebound chances</td>
<td>0.13 (228th)</td>
<td>0.46 (10th)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>With Marner gone, everything in Leafs land flows downstream from Matthews in a more pronounced way. The performances of fellow core pieces, especially William Nylander, are critical, of course, but Toronto's ceiling is heavily determined by Matthews. The Leafs need him to be extraordinary, even though his linemates have switched from Marner and Matthew Knies to Max Domi and Bobby McMann.Surely at least some of Matthews' slow start can be attributed to Marner's departure. They formed one of the NHL's top duos for years in part because Marner is an all-world playmaker. He consistently creates advantageous shooting opportunities for linemates while shouldering a heavy defensive load.Marner starred on both special teams. The penalty kill's been fine in his absence, while the power play's slumped. Simply put, Marner - Toronto's primary puck transporter and in-zone distributor for years - hasn't been adequately replaced. It's led to the worst goals per 60 power-play minutes rating of the Matthews era (5.43) and the December firing of assistant coach Marc Savard.<h3>Questions on blue line, in net</h3>The Leafs have six double-digit goal-scorers and rank seventh in goals per game, despite playing a dump-and-chase style. Generating offense isn't a major problem for them. What is an issue: defense, specifically the suspect personnel.Toronto's blue line lacks mobility and puck skills. Too often, there's a palpable disconnect between the two defensemen and the three forwards on the ice. The Leafs rank 32nd out of 32 clubs in shot attempts against, shots on goal against, and slot shots against. They also sit 25th in offensive-zone possession time against. Teams that can't defend a lick miss the playoffs.Brandon Carlo, Simon Benoit, and Philippe Myers have seen more minutes than expected with veteran stud Chris Tanev limited to 11 games by a potential season-ending injury. Oliver Ekman-Larsson - who's enjoying a terrific, team MVP-level campaign - is also currently sidelined.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818627/cropped_GettyImages-2207620474.jpg?ts=1769111299" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818627/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207620474.jpg?ts=1769111299 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818627/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207620474.jpg?ts=1769111299 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818627/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207620474.jpg?ts=1769111299 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818627/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207620474.jpg?ts=1769111299 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818627/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207620474.jpg?ts=1769111299 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Thomas Skrlj / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Goaltending, from a strictly puck-stopping perspective, has been quite good. The Leafs are tied for 10th in team save percentage (.897) during a season in which four goalies have started three or more games. The active goalies, Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby, are rocking matching .912 rates and similar goals saved above expected tallies (15.1 GSAx for Woll; 16.1 for Hildeby).Strangely, Woll and Anthony Stolarz, the No. 1 guy on the preseason depth chart, have yet to be available at the same time this season. Woll was on personal leave in the fall, and before he could return, Stolarz went down with an injury.Goaltending can help paper over a team's defensive shortcomings. The combination of Woll, Hildeby, and Stolarz has done just that, but not to the same degree as last year, when Toronto finished fourth in team save percentage (.905). The Leafs have been on the wrong end of too many comeback wins.<h3>Odds, needs, and the deadline</h3>Nylander, who leads the team with 48 points in 37 games, is out with a groin injury. Top-six winger Matthew Knies has said he's playing through an injury. It feels like the Leafs have run into some seriously poor luck on the health front.In reality, Toronto is just one of many squads that's been without key pieces for big chunks of time in a weird year for injuries. (The condensed schedule doesn't help). The Leafs sit eighth in cumulative cap hit lost to injury, according to <a href="https://nhlinjuryviz.blogspot.com/2025/10/202526-team-injury-breakdowns.html">NHL Injury Viz</a>.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818634/cropped_GettyImages-2216981004.jpg?ts=1769115233" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818634/w220xh124_GettyImages-2216981004.jpg?ts=1769115233 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818634/w320xh180_GettyImages-2216981004.jpg?ts=1769115233 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818634/w640xh360_GettyImages-2216981004.jpg?ts=1769115233 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818634/w768xh432_GettyImages-2216981004.jpg?ts=1769115233 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818634/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2216981004.jpg?ts=1769115233 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andrew Francis Wallace / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile, <a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">MoneyPuck</a> lists the Leafs' playoff odds at 19.9% ahead of a pre-Olympics stretch of seven games in 12 days. The trade deadline falls six games and 12 days after the conclusion of the men's tournament in Italy.A right-handed defenseman with offensive juice is the Leafs' biggest present and future need - hence <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3456159" href="https://thescore.com/news/3456159">recent reports</a> of interest in the Devils' Dougie Hamilton.If Toronto loses five of its next seven games, tumbling down the standings, does general manager Brad Treliving spend the Olympic break strategizing for a sell-off? Conversely, would five wins push the executive into buy mode? Then again, a lack of draft capital and prospects (no first-round pick until 2028, no particularly enticing teenagers) makes buying very difficult. Trading away a goalie is easier said than done and would be a big-picture risk.Option 3: Don't buy or sell - in other words, do little, or "sit."Based on 50 games, and the fact that the club's top three trade chips (McMann, Scott Laughton, Troy Stecher) are worth re-signing, sitting may be the shrewd move.This could be a transitional year. No Marner. No playoffs? Reshape the roster in the offseason.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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What to make of the Maple Leafs 50 games into the post-Marner era

With the Feb. 4-22 Olympic roster freeze nearing and March 6 trade deadline roughly six weeks awa...

With the Feb. 4-22 Olympic roster freeze nearing and March 6 trade deadline roughly six weeks away, here's a look at 25 of the most interesting names potentially available. Players are ranked based on odds of being traded and level of on-ice impact. All contract information courtesy of <a href="https://puckpedia.com/">PuckPedia</a>.Tap on each player's name for analysis.<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="#Artemi%20Panarin">Artemi Panarin</a></td>
<td>Rangers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="#Dougie%20Hamilton">Dougie Hamilton</a></td>
<td>Devils</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="#Nazem%20Kadri">Nazem Kadri</a></td>
<td>Flames</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="#Vincent%20Trocheck">Vincent Trocheck</a></td>
<td>Rangers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="#Alex%20Tuch">Alex Tuch</a></td>
<td>Sabres</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="#Blake%20Coleman">Blake Coleman</a></td>
<td>Flames</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="#Boone%20Jenner">Boone Jenner</a></td>
<td>Blue Jackets</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="#Justin%20Faulk">Justin Faulk</a></td>
<td>Blues</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="#Steven%20Stamkos">Steven Stamkos</a></td>
<td>Predators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td><a href="#Brayden%20Schenn">Brayden Schenn</a></td>
<td>Blues</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td><a href="#Conor%20Garland">Conor Garland</a></td>
<td>Canucks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td><a href="#Elias%20Pettersson">Elias Pettersson</a></td>
<td>Canucks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><a href="#Jordan%20Kyrou">Jordan Kyrou</a></td>
<td>Blues</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td><a href="#Jonathan%20Marchessault">Jonathan Marchessault</a></td>
<td>Predators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td><a href="#Jordan%20Binnington">Jordan Binnington</a></td>
<td>Blues</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="#Ryan%20O'Reilly">Ryan O'Reilly</a></td>
<td>Predators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>
<a href="#Carson%20Soucy">Carson Soucy</a>*</td>
<td>Rangers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td><a href="#Brett%20Kulak">Brett Kulak</a></td>
<td>Penguins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td><a href="#Robert%20Thomas">Robert Thomas</a></td>
<td>Blues</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td><a href="#Connor%20Murphy">Connor Murphy</a></td>
<td>Blackhawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="#Jamie%20Oleksiak">Jamie Oleksiak</a></td>
<td>Kraken</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="#Andrew%20Mangiapane">Andrew Mangiapane</a></td>
<td>Oilers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td><a href="#Jesperi%20Kotkaniemi">Jesperi Kotkaniemi</a></td>
<td>Hurricanes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>
<a href="#Ondrej%20Palat">Ondrej Palat</a>*</td>
<td>Devils</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td><a href="#Luke%20Schenn">Luke Schenn</a></td>
<td>Jets</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3><a id="Artemi Panarin" name="Artemi%20Panarin">1. Artemi Panarin, LW</a></h3>$11.64-million cap hit through 2025-26 (no-move clause)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Panarin ranks sixth in points per game over the past decade and remains one of the NHL's premier playmakers. If the Rangers are willing to retain half of the 34-year-old's salary, surely a handful of general managers will be presenting legitimate offers. That said, Panarin holds much of the power. He can pick his destination (no-move clause) and timeline (extension or test free agency).<h3><a id="Dougie Hamilton" name="Dougie%20Hamilton">2. Dougie Hamilton, D</a></h3>$9-million cap hit through 2027-28 (10-team "yes" trade list)Hamilton was recently scratched, and his production is down. But the 32-year-old is still an effective right-handed offensive defenseman. The hard part for Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald will be finding a team that's on Hamilton's "yes" list and can stomach his deal. The term is fine, but $9 million is difficult to move midseason, which means New Jersey likely needs to retain salary here.<h3><a id="Nazem Kadri" name="Nazem%20Kadri">3. Nazem Kadri, C</a></h3>$7-million cap hit through 2028-29 (13-team "no" trade list)Kadri, a key member of the 2022 Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche, is an ultracompetitive two-way center with three years left on his deal beyond this season. The 35-year-old's cap hit is palatable for most clubs in an era of cap growth. A half dozen playoff-bound teams could upgrade their second-line center, while a return to the Central Division (Avalanche, Wild, or Stars) is possible.<h3><a id="Vincent Trocheck" name="Vincent%20Trocheck">4. Vincent Trocheck, C</a></h3>$5.63-million cap hit through 2028-29 (12-team "no" trade list)Trocheck is a faceoff-winning, all-situations forward who's on pace for 59 points in 68 games. He's also a leader on a completely reasonable contract. Put another way, GM Chris Drury will be fielding plenty of calls on Trocheck in the coming weeks. The Wild are an obvious fit. Cup-contending Minnesota needs a top-six center, and its GM, Bill Guerin, recently made Trocheck an Olympian.<h3><a id="Alex Tuch" name="Alex%20Tuch">5. Alex Tuch, RW</a></h3>$4.75-million cap hit through 2025-26 (5-team "no" trade list)Tuch, a lifelong Sabres supporter who's blossomed into a fan favorite, may sign an extension. Yet, until a deal is finalized, the pending unrestricted free agent's future hangs in the balance. Tuch is a fast, 6-foot-4 winger with finishing chops. The combination of first-line talent, low cap hit, and limited trade protection makes him a hot commodity. Tuch likely doubles his yearly earnings moving forward.<h3><a id="Blake Coleman" name="Blake%20Coleman">6. Blake Coleman, LW</a></h3>$4.9-million cap hit through 2026-27 (10-team "yes" trade list)Coleman checks off a lot of boxes: physical bottom-six winger. Culture-setter. Owner of two Cup rings. Contract includes a digestible cap hit and some term (but not too much term for a 34-year-old). Current team - the selling Flames - can talk trade with most clubs without having to check in with the player.<h3><a id="Boone Jenner" name="Boone%20Jenner">7. Boone Jenner, LW</a></h3>$3.75-million cap hit through 2025-26 (8-team "no" trade list)Jenner, 32, has spent his entire 13-year career with the Blue Jackets and served as team captain for the past five. Despite a history of injuries, the hard-nosed winger pitches in offensively (25 points in 35 games) and holds his own defensively when healthy. He's one of the most appealing rental forwards.<h3><a id="Justin Faulk" name="Justin%20Faulk">8. Justin Faulk, D</a></h3>$6.5-million cap hit through 2026-27 (15-team "no" trade list)Faulk jumps off the page as an appropriate Plan B for the various teams who lost the Rasmus Andersson sweepstakes. The minute-munching, shot-blocking right-handed blue-liner is quietly enjoying a highly productive age-33 season, bagging 11 goals in 50 games. He's on pace for a career-high 18.<h3><a id="Steven Stamkos" name="Steven%20Stamkos">9. Steven Stamkos, RW</a></h3>$8-million cap hit through 2027-28 (no-move clause)Stamkos, who turns 36 in February, isn't the electric player he used to be, especially at even strength. Yet the dude remains lethal with the puck on his stick and sits tied for 31st in goals (21 in 49 games). Complicating factors include Nashville climbing back into the playoff hunt after a disastrous start; Stamkos' high cap hit; and the future Hall of Famer owning a no-move clause.<h3><a id="Brayden Schenn" name="Brayden%20Schenn">10. Brayden Schenn, C</a></h3>$6.5-million cap hit through 2027-28 (15-team "no" trade list)Schenn's contract carries the same cap hit and trade protection as Faulk's but runs for one more year. The Blues captain has struggled to produce in his 17th season (19 points in 50 games), yet he's rocking a career-high faceoff win percentage. Schenn can be a solid third-line center for a playoff-bound club.<h3><a id="Conor Garland" name="Conor%20Garland">11. Conor Garland, RW</a></h3>$4.95-million cap hit through 2025-26 (zero trade protection)Garland, 29, is this list's most unique case because any team that acquires him inherits the extension he signed with the Canucks last July. That deal - six years, $6 million cap hit, no-move clause - doesn't kick in until this coming offseason. Garland is speedy, possesses impressive playmaking skills, and wins a ton of puck battles for a guy listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds.<h3><a id="Elias Pettersson" name="Elias%20Pettersson">12. Elias Pettersson, C</a></h3>$11.6-million cap hit through 2031-32 (no-move clause)Pettersson's had a minor resurgence in 2025-26. However, his on-ice value still doesn't align with such a mammoth contract. That said, rebuilding Vancouver is motivated to cut deep into its core, and there must be teams out there (Carolina? Los Angeles?) that believe they can bring out Pettersson's best.<h3><a id="Jordan Kyrou" name="Jordan%20Kyrou">13. Jordan Kyrou, RW</a></h3>$8.13-million cap hit through 2030-31 (no-trade clause)Kyrou, 27 years old and in the third year of an eight-year deal, is part of St. Louis' long-term core. At the same time, he's for a while been a prime suspect for a change of scenery trade, and the Blues are seemingly at a crossroads with their underperforming roster. Kyrou is a quick and crafty playmaker with strong underlying numbers and three 70-point seasons on his resume.<h3><a id="Jonathan Marchessault" name="Jonathan%20Marchessault">14. Jonathan Marchessault, RW</a></h3>$5.5-million cap hit through 2028-29 (no-move clause)Marchessault is in a similar situation to Stamkos - mid-30s, contract with term, riding the Predators' roller coaster - except his season has been filled with injuries and inconsistent play, not goals. Still, the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has a long history of rising to the occasion (36 goals in 102 playoff games).<h3><a id="Jordan Binnington" name="Jordan%20Binnington">15. Jordan Binnington, G</a></h3>$6-million cap hit through 2026-27 (14-team "no" trade list)Binnington's been flat-out terrible this season (.869 save percentage and minus-16 goals saved above expected in 28 appearances). His trade value is almost entirely reliant upon a heroic showing at the Olympics. If he plays well for Canada and the Blues enter full sell mode, interested parties will emerge.<h3><a id="Ryan O'Reilly" name="Ryan%20O'Reilly">16. Ryan O'Reilly, C</a></h3>$4.5-million cap hit through 2026-27 (zero trade protection)Nashville's MVP through 49 games, O'Reilly hasn't gotten his flowers league-wide for an exceptional season. He's the definition of a detailed two-way center who's a playoff warrior and, at that cap hit, would be a tremendous addition for any center-seeking contender. The question is, does O'Reilly want to leave Nashville? While his deal lacks trade protection, GM Barry Trotz won't be making an O'Reilly trade without significant input from the soon-to-be 35-year-old.<h3><a id="Carson Soucy" name="Carson%20Soucy">17. Carson Soucy, D*</a></h3>*Jan. 26: Soucy traded to Islanders for 2026 third-round pick$3.25-million cap hit through 2025-26 (12-team "no" trade list)Soucy fits the "rental" stereotype perfectly. A veteran shutdown defenseman playing on an expiring deal, he can slot in nicely on a contender's third pair. Bonus: The Viking, Alberta, native can slide over to the right side in a pinch.<h3><a id="Brett Kulak" name="Brett%20Kulak">18. Brett Kulak, D</a></h3>$2.75-million cap hit through 2025-26 (zero trade protection)Kulak was acquired from the Oilers in December in the Stuart Skinner-Tristan Jarry trade. He's a dependable third-pair guy with penalty-killing utility. The Penguins can flip him or keep him for what could be a fun stretch drive.<h3><a id="Robert Thomas" name="Robert%20Thomas">19. Robert Thomas, C</a></h3>$8.13-million cap hit through 2030-31 (no-trade clause)Thomas is the one player on this list who, if declared officially available, would wreak havoc on 31 front offices. He's that good of a player. Thomas, who's currently on injured reserve, is an above-average first-line center in the prime of his career. He's an elite passer, only 26 years old, and under contract for five seasons after this one. The trade package sent back to St. Louis would be massive.<h3><a id="Connor Murphy" name="Connor%20Murphy">20. Connor Murphy, D</a></h3>$4.4-million cap hit through 2025-26 (10-team "no" trade list)Murphy is the longest-tenured Blackhawks player by six years. He's also a pending UFA who doesn't fit into Chicago's long-term plans. The well-respected, physical blue-liner is suited to fill a third-pair spot elsewhere.<h3><a id="Jamie Oleksiak" name="Jamie%20Oleksiak">21. Jamie Oleksiak, D</a></h3>$4.6-million cap hit through 2025-26 (16-team "no" trade list)Oleksiak is a 6-foot-7, 252-pound pending UFA defenseman who plays a straightforward game. While his cap hit isn't ideal, he could help improve a playoff-bound team's depth. Of course, Seattle is also in the playoff hunt.<h3><a id="Andrew Mangiapane" name="Andrew%20Mangiapane">22. Andrew Mangiapane, LW</a></h3>$3.6-million cap hit through 2026-27 (no-trade clause)The Mangiapane-Oilers experiment has been a complete failure. Despite prominent usage early on, the former 35 goal-scorer hasn't found his footing in Edmonton and is now a consistent scratch. On one hand, the market for his services won't be robust. On the other, the Oilers' asking price won't be high.<h3><a id="Jesperi Kotkaniemi" name="Jesperi%20Kotkaniemi">23. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C</a></h3>$4.82-million cap hit through 2029-30 (10-team "no" trade list)Kotkaniemi, drafted third overall in 2018 by the Canadiens, is skating a career-low 11:13 a night for the Hurricanes. He was scratched earlier in the year, but perhaps he can fill a bottom-six center role elsewhere. The 25-year-old's cap hit is alright in an era of cap growth. The term, however, is rough.<h3><a id="Ondrej Palat" name="Ondrej%20Palat">24. Ondrej Palat, LW</a></h3>*Jan. 27: Palat traded to Islanders with 2026 third-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick for forward Maxim Tsyplakov$6-million cap hit through 2026-27 (10-team "no" trade list)Palat, once an effective top-six winger, is a shell of his former self and now a whipping boy within the Devils' fan base. With an underwhelming game and anchor of a contract, he's become a negative asset. Can New Jersey wiggle its way out of this commitment somewhat gracefully and turn the page?<h3><a id="Luke Schenn" name="Luke%20Schenn">25. Luke Schenn, D</a></h3>$2.75-million cap hit through 2025-26 (zero trade protection)Schenn is a plodding, physical defenseman in search of a third Cup at age 36. It would be a hell of a story if a team acquired he and brother Brayden and the former Flyers teammates shared the ice once again.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Big board: Top 25 players who could be dealt before NHL trade deadline

Combining his own perspective with what he's been hearing from those in and around the game, senior NHL writer John Matisz breaks down the hot topics across the hockey landscape.<h3>Marner, Leafs should have no regrets</h3>Amid the endless chatter about Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs this week, one thought kept bouncing around my brain: Man, people sure seem to have short memories.It's tempting to play the "Does the departed player miss his old team more than the team misses the player?" game. And, hey, I totally get why that kind of discourse flooded social media and why Thursday's TSN broadcast of the Leafs-Golden Knights game leaned into the juicy narrative. What-ifs are fun.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But, in reality, neither Marner nor the Leafs should be regretting the divorce.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817835/cropped_GettyImages-2255694122.jpg?ts=1768596005" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817835/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255694122.jpg?ts=1768596005 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817835/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255694122.jpg?ts=1768596005 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817835/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255694122.jpg?ts=1768596005 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817835/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255694122.jpg?ts=1768596005 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817835/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255694122.jpg?ts=1768596005 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ethan Miller / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The late June sign-and-trade that sent Marner to Vegas for the next eight years closed a chapter in Leafs history (and Marner's career) that was equal parts exhilarating, excruciating, and exhausting. His departure wasn't overly controversial in the moment because it was the logical next step.Remember the playoff failures - two series victories in nine postseasons? The toxic relationship between homegrown star forward and Stanley Cup-starved fan base? How badly all three parties - team, player, fan base - needed to take a breather and redirect their energy elsewhere? Asking who's better off half a season later misses the entire point of opting to move on in the first place.Everybody's better off, by default.The 23-16-8 Leafs aren't a perfect team, but they're better off seeing what comes of spending Marner's salary on multiple pieces, even if it means one fewer 100-point two-way winger in the lineup. Marner's transition to Vegas hasn't been smooth on or off the ice, but he's better off establishing a new identity, even if it means fewer points, minutes, and reps at center to start.It couldn't have been fun to be Marner on Thursday, <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2012009885924540820">getting booed</a> by visiting fans on home ice. But that, and whatever vitriol next Friday's Leafs-Knights game in Toronto brings, is part of the transition and act of finally moving on.<h3>Doan and Sabres keep rolling</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817811/cropped_GettyImages-2252679344.jpg?ts=1768584139" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817811/w220xh124_GettyImages-2252679344.jpg?ts=1768584139 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817811/w320xh180_GettyImages-2252679344.jpg?ts=1768584139 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817811/w640xh360_GettyImages-2252679344.jpg?ts=1768584139 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817811/w768xh432_GettyImages-2252679344.jpg?ts=1768584139 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817811/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2252679344.jpg?ts=1768584139 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Since Dec. 9, the Sabres lead the NHL in standings points collected (30 in 17 games) and points percentage (.882) off an expected but thrilling 15-2-0 run. A team doesn't go on a monthlong tear, climbing from last in the Eastern Conference to the first wild card, without nearly everything going well.Top players Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin have been sensational. Multiple lines have been highly productive, team defense has been locked in, and the three rostered goalies have combined for a .918 save percentage."We're not taking anything for granted. Every game is like a playoff game for us," Dahlin told theScore on Monday from his stall at Buffalo's KeyBank Center."After the 10-game winning streak we had, we lost a game," the team captain added, referencing a 5-1 road loss to the Blue Jackets on Jan. 3. "Right then and there, we told each other that this is going to be the biggest test of this season. Are we going to bounce back? Or not? What do we have in us?"Spoiler alert: A lot. Five wins in their next six games to be exact, boosting their playoff odds to 56.6%, according to <a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">MoneyPuck</a>. The Sabres have failed to make the postseason 14 straight years - an NHL record that's in danger of falling this spring.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817816/cropped_GettyImages-2240495433.jpg?ts=1768586638" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817816/w220xh124_GettyImages-2240495433.jpg?ts=1768586638 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817816/w320xh180_GettyImages-2240495433.jpg?ts=1768586638 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817816/w640xh360_GettyImages-2240495433.jpg?ts=1768586638 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817816/w768xh432_GettyImages-2240495433.jpg?ts=1768586638 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817816/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2240495433.jpg?ts=1768586638 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bill Wippert / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>First-year Sabre Josh Doan has been the biggest standout during the run. Part of an offseason trade that sent dynamic forward JJ Peterka to Utah, Doan has emerged as a detail-oriented first-line winger, allowing the rest of the forward group to click into place. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound son of ex-NHLer Shane Doan is tremendously effective along the walls, disruptive on the forecheck, and skilled enough to facilitate and finish around the net. He moves the needle."He's an infectious type of player," head coach Lindy Ruff said."He looks like he's been playing in the league for 500 games," Dahlin said.Doan, a 2021 second-round pick who turns 24 in February, is the perfect complement to a game-breaker like Thompson, assuming the Zach Hyman role alongside Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews. "You want to have a skilled guy, a dog, and then the third guy depends on the line," Sabres winger Jason Zucker said. "You have to have versatility throughout the lineup."Zucker, a 15-year veteran on his fifth team, sees some Zach Parise in Doan."Really good netfront guy. Was always hounding pucks. Had a really good stick and created a lot of turnovers," Zucker said of Parise, a former stud winger for the Devils and Wild. "I'm impressed with Doaner's ability to turn pucks over and get pucks back. He's really good at keeping plays alive."<h3>Picking Point's potential replacement</h3>Brayden Point, one of the first six players named to Canada's Olympic team, needed to be helped off the ice during Monday's Lightning-Flyers game.The Lightning say Point is out "week-to-week." Olympic men's hockey starts Feb. 11, four-and-a-half weeks from the time of his apparent leg injury.Point struggled to start the year but recently started to look his electric self, racking up eight goals and 11 assists in his last 15 games. Despite him being a natural center, many penciled in the Calgary native as McDavid's right-winger, thanks to his quick feet and hands and off-puck habits. Most crucially, McDavid and Point were linemates for a stretch at the 4 Nations Face-Off.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817731/cropped_GettyImages-2200228766.jpg?ts=1768518680" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817731/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200228766.jpg?ts=1768518680 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817731/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200228766.jpg?ts=1768518680 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817731/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200228766.jpg?ts=1768518680 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817731/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200228766.jpg?ts=1768518680 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817731/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200228766.jpg?ts=1768518680 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brian Babineau/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Wyatt Johnston, Seth Jarvis, Connor Bedard, Mark Scheifele, Travis Konecny, and Sam Bennett will contend for a roster spot if Point's forced to bow out. General manager Doug Armstrong has said that Canada's injured Olympians will likely be replaced by players with similar skill sets and makeups.Johnston, the unflappable 22-year-old Stars winger, is most comparable to Point. He marks off the handedness, speed, offensive versatility, and defense traits. Also, he leads the NHL in power-play goals while ranking top 10 in inner-slot shots, scoring chances generated off the cycle, and chances off rebounds. A couple of connections won't hurt his chances: Stars GM Jim Nill and ex-Stars coach Pete DeBoer are key members of Canada's brain trust.Bedard and Bennett deserve serious consideration too. The other three, while stellar players in their own ways, seem to be a tier below.<h3>Maurice: NHL is harder, heavier, faster</h3>Paul Maurice sits second all time in NHL games coached, splitting 1,976 contests between Hartford/Carolina, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Florida. Three decades in, he remains one of the most insightful people in the entire sport.On Monday, I asked Maurice about the uniqueness of 2025-26. With teams gritting through a condensed schedule caused by a three-week Olympic break, players have limited practice time, and a disproportionate number of them have been injured. How's the quality of hockey been at ice level?"It's way harder, way heavier, and at times, faster," the 58-year-old reported.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817739/cropped_GettyImages-2255636193.jpg?ts=1768524987" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817739/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255636193.jpg?ts=1768524987 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817739/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255636193.jpg?ts=1768524987 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817739/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255636193.jpg?ts=1768524987 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817739/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255636193.jpg?ts=1768524987 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817739/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255636193.jpg?ts=1768524987 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Maurice believes his back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning Panthers have influenced the increase in physicality across the league. He's also noticed "more and more teams run a wing lock" - a reference to Florida's smothering, aggressive forechecking tactic. "Teams have adopted the styles that we stole from somebody else. It's made the game quite a bit more physical," he said.Most teams, Maurice added, have shifted from playing a protect-the-slot zone defense (Vegas' preferred style during its 2023 Cup run) to an aggressive man-to-man defense (Florida's style). The change has led to different types of hockey being played in each conference, he said."In the West, I think it's faster, and that's just a function of how teams defend," Maurice said. "They will give you (open) ice, like Vegas does. You can win (playing that brand of hockey). They're a hell of a team, and we couldn't get a puck near the net when we played Vegas (in the 2023 final)."<h3>Texier, the Habs' latest project</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817790/cropped_GettyImages-2255412341.jpg?ts=1768575817" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817790/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255412341.jpg?ts=1768575817 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817790/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255412341.jpg?ts=1768575817 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817790/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255412341.jpg?ts=1768575817 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817790/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255412341.jpg?ts=1768575817 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817790/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255412341.jpg?ts=1768575817 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Montreal signed Alexandre Texier to a two-year, $5-million contract extension Wednesday. The goal-scoring winger joined the club as a free-agent signee just two months ago, with his original deal having been terminated by the Blues.Texier, 26, is another reclamation project for Canadiens president Jeff Gorton, GM Kent Hughes, and head coach Martin St. Louis. The franchise has gone out of its way to acquire 20-something forwards in need of a change of scenery, hoping St. Louis and his staff can wring out untapped potential. The full list follows.<ul>
<li>Kirby Dach, acquired in July 2022 trade</li>
<li>Sean Monahan, August 2022 trade</li>
<li>Alex Newhook, June 2023 trade</li>
<li>Patrik Laine, August 2024 trade</li>
<li>Joe Veleno, July 2025 signing after buyout</li>
<li>Texier, November 2025 signing after termination</li>
</ul>Monahan, who arrived in Montreal with a first-round pick then fetched the Habs another first on his way out of town, is the one home run. While the rest are a mixed bag of strikeouts and singles, attempting to resuscitate careers in such a manner is a worthwhile pursuit if done tastefully. I appreciate the hustle.<h3>No winner in year-old Miller trade</h3>Most high-profile trades end up in one of two buckets: win-win or win-lose. It's rare to revisit a trade almost a year later and declare it an L for both sides.Yet, that's exactly what the Jan. 31, 2025, swap between the Rangers and Canucks is. A refresher: New York acquired J.T. Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a conditional draft pick that was flipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Marcus Pettersson trade.The fiery Miller was named New York's captain in the fall, but he's one of many Rangers floundering amid a miserable season. Brannstrom, a 300-game NHLer, is currently playing in Switzerland. Dorrington looks like an AHL lifer.The oft-injured Chytil was supposed to fix the Canucks' center depth, but he's appeared in just 21 total games due to ongoing concussion issues. Mancini's spent more time in the AHL than the NHL.It's no coincidence that Vancouver is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3455486" href="https://thescore.com/news/3455486">ostensibly</a> on the rebuilding path and New York is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3457129" href="https://thescore.com/news/3457129">officially</a> undergoing a retool 12 months after the Miller trade.<h3>Is expansion on the horizon?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817826/cropped_GettyImages-2242544452.jpg?ts=1768589090" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817826/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242544452.jpg?ts=1768589090 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817826/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242544452.jpg?ts=1768589090 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817826/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242544452.jpg?ts=1768589090 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817826/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242544452.jpg?ts=1768589090 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817826/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242544452.jpg?ts=1768589090 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Martin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Reader eraldeb recently asked about expanding beyond 32 teams.<blockquote>Expansion in the future? There are many cities that can bid, but who really has a chance at gaining an NHL club? Houston? Atlanta? Quebec City? Portland? Kansas City? There are tons of cities!</blockquote>It's a near guarantee the NHL will expand to 34 teams at some point, perhaps within the next decade. Expansion fees of $2 billion or more per club await."It could well happen, and there's a tremendous amount of interest out there," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/MANDP/peer-to-peer/true-hockey-talk-gary-bettman-with-w-graeme-roustan">The Hockey News</a> earlier in January."We're not pushing expansion," the 73-year-old added. "If it happens, it will be, for lack of a better word, organic. Somebody will come in and say, 'We can check the four primary boxes. Let's have a good look together.'"Ownership, market, and arena are three of the boxes, Bettman said. The fourth is more ambiguous: Will expanding to City X with Ownership Group Y in Year Z "make the game stronger, make the league stronger?"From reading between the lines of league comments and my own off-the-record conversations with people in the sport, here's my ranking of the top possible cities.<ol>
<li>Atlanta, Georgia</li>
<li>Houston, Texas</li>
<li>Austin, Texas</li>
<li>Phoenix, Arizona</li>
<li>New Orleans, Louisiana</li>
</ol><figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future NHL Inbox editions.<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore app</li>
<li>Email John at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a>
</li>
<li>Send John a message on X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
</ul>

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Marner-Leafs drama, Point's potential replacement, more NHL hot topics

The upcoming Olympics are throwing a wrench into the usual flow of NHL player movement. There's a...

The upcoming Olympics are throwing a wrench into the usual flow of NHL player movement. There's a league-wide roster freeze from Feb. 4-22, so we could see fireworks in February. Then the March 6 trade deadline. Let's run through eight teams - four buyers and four sellers - that look primed to shape the trade market. (Note: salary cap information courtesy <a data-in-app-uri="" href="https://puckpedia.com/teams">PuckPedia</a>.)<h3>Calgary Flames</h3>Record: 19-23-4 Role: SellerThe Flames need an infusion of high-end talent, and upside is best found at the top of the draft. Calgary sits 30th in points percentage and would benefit from dropping further in the standings to secure premium lottery odds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>General manager Craig Conroy has four desirable pieces at his disposal to accelerate the process: right-handed defenseman Rasmus Andersson (29 years old, $4.6-million cap hit, pending unrestricted free agent), plus forwards Nazem Kadri (35, $7 million, contract runs through 2028-29), Blake Coleman (34, $4.9 million, 2026-27), and Ryan Lomberg (31, $2 million, pending UFA).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817548/cropped_GettyImages-1516675547.jpg?ts=1768397136" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817548/w220xh124_GettyImages-1516675547.jpg?ts=1768397136 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817548/w320xh180_GettyImages-1516675547.jpg?ts=1768397136 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817548/w640xh360_GettyImages-1516675547.jpg?ts=1768397136 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817548/w768xh432_GettyImages-1516675547.jpg?ts=1768397136 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817548/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1516675547.jpg?ts=1768397136 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Andersson's contract includes a six-team no-trade list, Coleman has a 10-team trade list, and Kadri has a 13-team no-trade list, which makes navigating the market somewhat tricky. Still, Conroy is taking on risk every passing day.Coleman, a proven playoff performer enjoying a solid season, was injured last week amid trade rumors. Not ideal. Andersson, whose value might be at its peak thanks to a strong first half and recent Olympic selection, will be putting his body on the line every shift for Team Sweden. Meanwhile, a handful of playoff-bound teams should be in hot pursuit of Kadri to upgrade at center.<h3>Carolina Hurricanes</h3>Record: 28-15-4 Role: BuyerMost years during Rod Brind'Amour's tenure in Carolina have followed a familiar script. Regular-season excellence. Success early in the playoffs. Disappointment once key saves and goals dry up in the second or third round.The organization has attacked the firepower issue head-on, acquiring high-profile forwards Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen and promising blue-liner K'Andre Miller in three blockbusters since March 2024. (The Rantanen experiment, of course, was short-lived. He's now leading the Stars' attack.)Carolina will be creative. They will be bold. Just how bold they'll be is the mystery.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817547/cropped_GettyImages-2197151263.jpg?ts=1768396845" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817547/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197151263.jpg?ts=1768396845 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817547/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197151263.jpg?ts=1768396845 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817547/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197151263.jpg?ts=1768396845 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817547/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197151263.jpg?ts=1768396845 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817547/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197151263.jpg?ts=1768396845 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Does GM Eric Tulsky try to acquire a 2026 free-agency headliner in New York's Artemi Panarin or Buffalo's Alex Tuch? Does he opt for an immediate core piece in stud Blues center Robert Thomas? A reclamation project in Vancouver's Elias Pettersson? A unique winger in the Canucks' Kiefer Sherwood? A defenseman in New Jersey's Dougie Hamilton, St. Louis' Justin Faulk, or Anaheim's Pavel Mintyukov? Somebody nobody's thinking about?Carolina's arguably better at asset management than any NHL team. Despite being in win-now mode, pulling the trigger on complicated deals, and locking up key youngsters, Tulsky has $16.9 million in cap space, five first-round picks from the next four drafts, and a solid prospect pool to work with.Also, unlike most buyers, the Hurricanes have two well-established, 25-year-old forwards to dangle in trade talks. Andrei Svechnikov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, both in the rumor mill of late, are change-of-scenery candidates.<h3>Dallas Stars</h3>Record: 27-11-9 Role: BuyerDallas is on pace for 112 points - two shy of the franchise record set in its 1999 Stanley Cup season. Despite their dominant performance, the Stars have been overshadowed by Colorado, the team they're most likely to meet in Round 2 of the playoffs.The Stars can't expect to beat the Avalanche without improving the blue line. Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen form a reliably impactful top pair, but 24-year-old Thomas Harley needs help on the second unit. Harley has struggled this year in part because he's spent nearly all of his five-on-five minutes alongside third-pair guys Ilya Lyubushkin, Nils Lundkvist, and Alex Petrovic.Veteran right-handed defensemen Andersson (Calgary), Hamilton (New Jersey), and Connor Murphy (Chicago) are three logical trade targets.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817514/cropped_GettyImages-2252977498.jpg?ts=1768356512" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817514/w220xh124_GettyImages-2252977498.jpg?ts=1768356512 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817514/w320xh180_GettyImages-2252977498.jpg?ts=1768356512 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817514/w640xh360_GettyImages-2252977498.jpg?ts=1768356512 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817514/w768xh432_GettyImages-2252977498.jpg?ts=1768356512 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817514/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2252977498.jpg?ts=1768356512 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Glenn James / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>GM Jim Nill loves midseason splashes, bringing in superstar winger Rantanen last year and shutdown defenseman Chris Tanev in 2023-24.There are a few complicating factors this time around.The Stars' salary cap situation is fuzzy. The club, which entered 2025-26 with virtually no cap space, is up to $3.3 million thanks to multiple players spending time on long-term injured reserve. That amount will triple if winger Tyler Seguin (torn ACL) is ruled out through the playoffs and placed on season-ending LTIR. A timeline update is expected after the Olympic break.Secondly, while Dallas isn't completely devoid of futures, its draft capital is limited (no first-round picks in 2026 or 2028) and its prospect pool is shallow. Lastly, leading goal-scorer Jason Robertson is a pending restricted free agent. If Robertson's returning, the Stars can't handcuff themselves by absorbing a hefty multi-year contract (like Hamilton's) without carefully plotting next steps.Dallas will almost certainly be active on the trade front. The extent of their activity is TBD.<h3>St. Louis Blues</h3>Record: 18-21-8 Role: SellerThe Blues, led by GM Doug Armstrong and head coach Jim Montgomery, are a down-bad team that can shake up the NHL landscape if it so chooses.This season has been extremely disappointing, and it's blatantly obvious the roster requires major surgery. But turnover is easier said than done when the Blues' UFA list consists of only Oskar Sundqvist, Mathieu Joseph, and Robby Fabbri.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817549/cropped_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1768398014" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817549/w220xh124_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1768398014 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817549/w320xh180_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1768398014 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817549/w640xh360_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1768398014 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817549/w768xh432_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1768398014 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817549/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1768398014 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The intrigue instead surrounds the futures of first-line forwards Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, captain Brayden Schenn, top four defensemen Faulk and Colton Parayko, and starting goalie Jordan Binnington. Kyrou, Schenn, and Faulk seem more likely to be traded than the other three, but who knows?The front office is tasked with deciding which players should be part of the core moving forward, then navigating various no-move and no-trade clauses.Yet, it's entirely possible Armstrong plays it conservative, moving the UFAs and just one or two others. After all, this is a franchise allergic to rebuilding.<h3>Detroit Red Wings</h3>Record: 28-16-4 Role: BuyerGM Steve Yzerman made only minor moves ahead of last year's deadline, citing exorbitant prices relative to the caliber of players available. Captain Dylan Larkin later <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3271971">expressed disappointment</a> with the lack of activity.The sequence of events could be much different in 2026, with Detroit on a 103-point pace, slotted second in the Atlantic Division, and holding 72.7% <a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">playoff odds</a>. The Original Six franchise hasn't looked this promising since its last postseason appearance in 2015-16 and has heaps of cap space ($26.9 million).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817546/cropped_GettyImages-2255089829.jpg?ts=1768392371" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817546/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255089829.jpg?ts=1768392371 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817546/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255089829.jpg?ts=1768392371 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817546/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255089829.jpg?ts=1768392371 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817546/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255089829.jpg?ts=1768392371 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817546/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255089829.jpg?ts=1768392371 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The top of the lineup - Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson - is humming, but Detroit's depth leaves something to be desired. The two biggest needs are a two-way defenseman to beef up the second pair and a middle-six offensive contributor, preferably on the wing.St. Louis defenseman Faulk and Vancouver left winger Jake DeBrusk make sense as realistic but dreamy fits. "Dreamy" is an important word here, as both players have term left on their deals and some kind of trade protection.The Red Wings, who were frequently mentioned as a landing spot for Quinn Hughes in the lead-up to the Wild-Canucks blockbuster, are primed to go big-game hunting. The Eastern Conference is wide open, and Yzerman possesses the money, prospects, and young NHLers to complete a needle-moving trade.<h3>Vancouver Canucks</h3>Record: 16-25-5 Role: SellerThe Canucks' front office this week dropped the ridiculous hedging ("hybrid retool") and expressed a desire to rebuild in the wake of the Hughes trade.What a breath of fresh air. <figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817550/cropped_GettyImages-2254996662.jpg?ts=1768398087" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817550/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254996662.jpg?ts=1768398087 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817550/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254996662.jpg?ts=1768398087 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817550/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254996662.jpg?ts=1768398087 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817550/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254996662.jpg?ts=1768398087 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817550/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254996662.jpg?ts=1768398087 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>But, wait, Vancouver fans will be sold on this vision only when the club completes multiple transactions squarely aimed at the future. Remember, the Canucks are notorious for cutting corners and changing directions midstream.Nevertheless, if GM Patrik Allvin is truly serious about rebuilding, things could get interesting beyond the obvious trade chips of pending free agents Sherwood, Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, David Kampf, and Lukas Reichel.Although core forwards Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and DeBrusk aren't perfect players and carry onerous contracts, surely there are teams out there wondering if the right coach and linemates can spark a late-20s turnaround.<h3>Minnesota Wild</h3>Record: 26-12-9 Role: BuyerWild GM Bill Guerin pulled off one of the biggest trades in NHL history in December. Yet he can't be satisfied. Minnesota is guaranteed only two seasons with 2027 UFA Hughes, and the Central will be a gauntlet come playoff time.With goaltending and defense in excellent shape, forward is the top priority. It's suboptimal that Joel Eriksson Ek is the lone legitimate top-six center.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817551/cropped_GettyImages-2253692960.jpg?ts=1768398169" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817551/w220xh124_GettyImages-2253692960.jpg?ts=1768398169 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817551/w320xh180_GettyImages-2253692960.jpg?ts=1768398169 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817551/w640xh360_GettyImages-2253692960.jpg?ts=1768398169 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817551/w768xh432_GettyImages-2253692960.jpg?ts=1768398169 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817551/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2253692960.jpg?ts=1768398169 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Guerin can pursue another needle-mover - think Nashville's Ryan O'Reilly or St. Louis' Thomas - or bring in a hard-nosed veteran, like Calgary's Kadri or the Blues' Schenn. The latter option isn't the sizeable downgrade it might seem at first glance. Minnesota's forward group is unique. Wingers Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy are two of the top play-driving wingers on the planet, meaning the Wild don't necessarily need O'Reilly or Thomas.Minnesota has a fair amount of flexibility with $5.8 million in cap space and, if necessary, can try to carve out another $4 million or so by moving an underperforming pending UFA forward (Ryan Hartman or Vladimir Tarasenko).The 2024 David Jiricek trade and Hughes blockbuster have significantly eaten the team's assets. The Wild don't have a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 second-rounder, or a 2027 second-rounder. But they do have a 2027 first and an above-average group of prospects.<h3>New Jersey Devils</h3>Record: 23-21-2 Role: SellerThe Devils are last on this list for a reason. They're a complete wild card.On one hand, GM Tom Fitzgerald remains hopeful the struggling squad can turn its season around and earn a playoff spot (the preseason expectation). In fact, he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/HpULFzGfuUw">told reporters</a> Wednesday that he'd like to add to the forward group.On the other hand, New Jersey is right up against the cap and handcuffed by numerous no-move and no-trade clauses. As a result, the Devils can't buy until they sell. Essentially, Fitzgerald needs first to clean up the mess he's made.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817552/cropped_GettyImages-1201377208.jpg?ts=1768398289" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817552/w220xh124_GettyImages-1201377208.jpg?ts=1768398289 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817552/w320xh180_GettyImages-1201377208.jpg?ts=1768398289 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817552/w640xh360_GettyImages-1201377208.jpg?ts=1768398289 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817552/w768xh432_GettyImages-1201377208.jpg?ts=1768398289 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817552/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1201377208.jpg?ts=1768398289 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Marlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Dawson Mercer and Cody Glass check the boxes of being useful forwards with relatively low cap hits and zero trade protection. But trading Mercer, in particular, would solve one problem while creating another.Hamilton, who was recently scratched, would be easy to move if he didn't make $9 million a year and own a 10-team trade list. What a win it would be if Fitzgerald moved off Ondrej Palat, the underperforming veteran winger attached to a horrendous contract. Oh, right, Palat also has trade protection. The same goes for goalie Jacob Markstrom. Untangling the knot won't be easy.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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8 teams primed to shape NHL trade market

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