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>DeBoer hire evidence of moved goalposts</h3>Lindy Ruff, hired by Buffalo two years ago this month, is already the 12th-longest-tenured NHL head coach following two stunning late-season firings.Let that sink in for a moment. A head coach is in the league's top third in shelf life despite being introduced by his club in April 2024. Crazy.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Within a week, and with fewer than 10 games left in the schedule, Bruce Cassidy was replaced by John Tortorella behind the bench in Vegas, and Patrick Roy was axed for Pete DeBoer on Long Island. Other 2026 changes include Rick Bowness taking over for Dean Evason in Columbus on Jan. 12, and D.J. Smith in for Jim Hiller in Los Angeles on an interim basis on March 1.Sunday's Islanders shake-up reflects two things: the stratification of coaches in today's NHL, and the state of the Isles early in the Matthew Schaefer era."I couldn't believe my eyes during the first half of the year," DeBoer <a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/video/practice-4-6-peter-deboer-6392647979112">said</a> Monday when asked for his initial impressions of the 18-year-old defenseman.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829656/cropped_GettyImages-2211042443.jpg?ts=1775506747" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829656/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211042443.jpg?ts=1775506747 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829656/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211042443.jpg?ts=1775506747 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829656/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211042443.jpg?ts=1775506747 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829656/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211042443.jpg?ts=1775506747 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829656/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211042443.jpg?ts=1775506747 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Martin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Schaefer, who may win the Calder Trophy by unanimous vote, has moved the Isles' goalposts. Right now, general manager Mathieu Darche is dying to make the playoffs (<a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">29.6% odds</a>). Long term, Darche is tasked with not screwing up a golden opportunity to build a Schaefer-led Stanley Cup contender.The coaching change relates to both timelines, but the future's weightier.DeBoer, 57, is on his sixth NHL head coaching role after previous stints in Florida, New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas, and Dallas. He'll bring much-needed structure to the Isles, a club that forced goalie Ilya Sorokin to bail them out far too often during Roy's three-year tenure. New York ranked 30th in expected goals against and 31st in inner-slot shots against ahead of Monday's slate of games, according to Sportlogiq, yet it still has 89 points in 79 games.Teams in the modern NHL need different coaches for different stages. You don't hire a first-time coach out of college to put a Cup contender over the top, and you don't hire DeBoer to help a rebuilding effort. DeBoer's a tactician who elevates a team's floor overnight - a classic win-mode choice by Darche.Now Darche must get to work on insulating Schaefer with talent.<h3>5 'data-centric' names for Leafs</h3>The timing was impeccable last Tuesday afternoon.In Toronto, Maple Leaf Sports &amp; Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley was telling reporters he wants to hire a "data-centric" person as the next GM of the Maple Leafs in the wake of Brad Treliving's firing.Meanwhile, in Denver, 300 data-loving hockey people - including roughly 90 who work in analytics departments across the NHL - were attending a conference focused on statistical analysis and its evolving role in the sport.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829594/cropped_GettyImages-2215954337.jpg?ts=1775498929" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829594/w220xh124_GettyImages-2215954337.jpg?ts=1775498929 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829594/w320xh180_GettyImages-2215954337.jpg?ts=1775498929 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829594/w640xh360_GettyImages-2215954337.jpg?ts=1775498929 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829594/w768xh432_GettyImages-2215954337.jpg?ts=1775498929 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829594/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2215954337.jpg?ts=1775498929 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Nick Lachance / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"They have to be data-centric. They have to really understand data and the importance of data and where data is moving," Pelley said of Toronto's next GM, before adding the scope of his months-long search will be "wide open" and thus not limited strictly to executives with previous GM experience.I was in Denver last week and asked a few analytics staffers for some insight.Who within their peer group fits the description of being both a "data-centric" executive and somebody who appears capable of handling the bright lights of Toronto? Here are five names that came up in multiple conversations:<ul>
<li>Sunny Mehta, Panthers assistant GM</li>
<li>Evan Gold, Bruins assistant GM</li>
<li>Josh Flynn, Sabres assistant GM</li>
<li>Tyler Dellow, Hurricanes assistant GM</li>
<li>Jason Spezza, Penguins assistant GM</li>
</ul><div> </div>Mehta and Dellow, like Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky, broke into the industry as <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2848474">sharp online analysts</a>. Gold and Flynn come from more traditional hockey backgrounds but are known for their progressive approach. Spezza is a former NHLer (19 seasons, including three in Toronto) now working under Kyle Dubas, the former Leafs GM, who, ironically, would be a perfect candidate.Kelley's undecided on structure. If he opts to hire a president of hockey operations above the GM, ex-Canucks GM Mike Gillis would be the ideal pick.<h3>Old man Karlsson turns back clock</h3>Erik Karlsson will be 36 on May 31. His contract, which carries an $11.5 million cap hit and expires in 2027, will be infinitely more desirable to other teams this coming offseason, as he's owed just $1.5 million in actual salary during the 2026-27 campaign thanks to the deal's front-loaded, bonus-laden structure.Put another way, if Pittsburgh wasn't blowing preseason expectations out of the water, Karlsson would have been an excellent offseason trade chip.Now? There's absolutely no way the Penguins ship him out in the summer.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829574/cropped_GettyImages-2268801834.jpg?ts=1775489643" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829574/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268801834.jpg?ts=1775489643 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829574/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268801834.jpg?ts=1775489643 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829574/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268801834.jpg?ts=1775489643 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829574/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268801834.jpg?ts=1775489643 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829574/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268801834.jpg?ts=1775489643 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Sargent / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Karlsson, who's played well all year, has been on fire over the past five weeks. The three-time Norris Trophy winner scored and added three assists in a 9-4 Pens win over the Panthers this past weekend and paces all defensemen in post-Olympics production with 29 points in 22 games. Keep in mind, both Sidney Crosby (injury) and Evgeni Malkin (suspension) recently missed time.Karlsson is first on the Pens in ice time (23:40) while playing 3:23 a night on the power play and 1:55 on the penalty kill. His plus-22 five-on-five goal differential leads all Pittsburgh skaters and ranks 13th among NHL blue-liners.Recapturing his Norris swagger, the smooth Swede is unmistakably active, assertive, and confident with and without the puck right now, and it's showing up in Sportlogiq data. Karlsson sits fourth in the entire NHL in blocked passes (5.7 per game) and 11th in slot passes (2.5 per game).<h3>Vegas regretting Andersson trade?</h3>The Golden Knights are great for the NHL. The front office has been super aggressive in free agency and on the trade market since entering the league in 2017 and is, all in all, fully committed to doing whatever it takes to win.Look no further than last week's unexpected coaching change.But not all aggressive moves pan out. The January trade for 29-year-old Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, for instance, hasn't aged well.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829471/cropped_GettyImages-2268190394.jpg?ts=1775405019" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829471/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268190394.jpg?ts=1775405019 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829471/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268190394.jpg?ts=1775405019 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829471/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268190394.jpg?ts=1775405019 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829471/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268190394.jpg?ts=1775405019 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829471/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268190394.jpg?ts=1775405019 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> David Becker / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Andersson, a pending unrestricted free agent, is a right-shot blue-liner with solid counting stats but meh underlying numbers. He's fine in the top four yet fails to move the needle in any appreciable way. Team context is key here: the aging Golden Knights need young, quick defensemen. Andersson is neither.The main problem is what Vegas gave up to bring Andersson into the fold. The Flames received a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick (that becomes a first-rounder if Vegas wins the 2026 Cup), minor-league defenseman Abram Wiebe, and NHL right-shot defenseman Zach Whitecloud.The Golden Knights would be better off with Whitecloud in the lineup. He's a slicker, more cost-effective player at a $2.75 million cap hit through 2027-28, and he has thrived in a larger role in Calgary. The coaching staff loves Whitecloud's leadership qualities and ability to munch significant minutes."Hey, listen, we knew we were getting a good player," Flames head coach Ryan Huska said last week. "But I think he's proven a lot of people wrong - that with more ice time, he can contribute more. He's been really good for us."<h3>Young Raty bucking faceoff trend</h3>One of the most predictable outcomes for an NHL center, regardless of talent level, is that he's going to struggle to win faceoffs for at least a few years. It's a phase that even centers who go on to dominate in the circle must endure.Aatu Raty, 23, has become an exception to the rule.The Canucks' fourth-line center is closing out his first full NHL season with a preposterous 61.8 faceoff win percentage. The Oulu, Finland, native ranks second in the league behind 38-year-old Senators pivot Claude Giroux.The NHL started recording faceoff wins and losses in 1997-98. Raty's current FO% sits 19th all time among players who've taken 600 or more draws in a single season, and he's the youngest player in the top 50.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829465/cropped_GettyImages-2269317959.jpg?ts=1775400382" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829465/w220xh124_GettyImages-2269317959.jpg?ts=1775400382 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829465/w320xh180_GettyImages-2269317959.jpg?ts=1775400382 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829465/w640xh360_GettyImages-2269317959.jpg?ts=1775400382 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829465/w768xh432_GettyImages-2269317959.jpg?ts=1775400382 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829465/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2269317959.jpg?ts=1775400382 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Derek Cain / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Raty, listed at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds, is strong enough to outmuscle some grizzled veterans. He puts in the work on the ice with consistent practice and off the ice through video study of opponents to sharpen technique and strategy.Like many elite faceoff guys in 2026, the left-hander will flip his stick and alter his hand placements to take right-side draws as a righty (see above photo)."It's all about who cheats the most," Raty told theScore last week."You're always trying to get an advantage. I try to talk to the linesmen, and there are some who tell me I have to change it up and can't do what I normally do. You have to have a couple of other tricks up your sleeve all the time - things that you do with your stick (to win a draw). It's really important to know which linesman you are in the circle with and what they call and don't call."A second-round pick of the Islanders, Raty was part of the 2023 Bo Horvat trade. He's posted 27 points in 108 career games for the Isles and Canucks."I'm not going to score every game. I'm not going to get a point every game. So, you have to have other metrics that you're known for," Raty said."Faceoffs are 50-50 puck battles, and you're trying to win them for your team. A lot of scoring chances come from faceoffs. If you're in the defensive zone and don't win, you can get hemmed in. Faceoffs control a lot of the game."<h3>Philly's Martone is new NCAA poster boy</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829584/cropped_GettyImages-2269417844.jpg?ts=1775494641" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829584/w220xh124_GettyImages-2269417844.jpg?ts=1775494641 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829584/w320xh180_GettyImages-2269417844.jpg?ts=1775494641 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829584/w640xh360_GettyImages-2269417844.jpg?ts=1775494641 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829584/w768xh432_GettyImages-2269417844.jpg?ts=1775494641 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829584/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2269417844.jpg?ts=1775494641 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Len Redkoles / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"The best decision I ever made."There's no better endorsement for college hockey than <a href="https://x.com/charlieo_conn/status/2038653076672798913">those six words</a> from the Flyers' late-season addition, 19-year-old right winger Porter Martone.Martone, the 2025 sixth overall pick, left the OHL's Brampton Steelheads for Michigan State University in his first post-draft season and the first in general in a revamped development pipeline. Recent eligibility rule changes now allow prospects to play both major junior and college hockey, and it's already clear that the NCAA is a viable stepping stone between junior and pro hockey.Martone got the most out of his one-and-done season at Michigan State. More time in the weight room led to a changed physique - lower body fat percentage, extra muscle. Facing stiffer, older competition, he still put up 50 points in 35 games. And, of course, he pocketed Name, Image, and Likeness money.The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder scored the winner in Philadelphia's 2-1 overtime victory over Boston on Sunday. That's three points in four NHL contests.<h3>Are automated goal reviews coming?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829633/cropped_GettyImages-2251966457.jpg?ts=1775504841" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829633/w220xh124_GettyImages-2251966457.jpg?ts=1775504841 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829633/w320xh180_GettyImages-2251966457.jpg?ts=1775504841 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829633/w640xh360_GettyImages-2251966457.jpg?ts=1775504841 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829633/w768xh432_GettyImages-2251966457.jpg?ts=1775504841 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/829633/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2251966457.jpg?ts=1775504841 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Reuben Polansky-Shapiro / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Reader Isaac R. recently asked about goal-review technology.<blockquote>Will the NHL ever utilize puck tracking technology so that goal reviews can occur without having to actually see the puck during video review?</blockquote>This is a great, timely question. Major League Baseball rolled out its long-awaited Automated Ball-Strike challenge system a couple of weeks ago. Tennis is another sport leaning heavily on technology to make calls, having deployed electronic line-judging systems as early as 2017.Here's what I know after checking in with a few people across the NHL, including an influential figure at the league office: The current technology in the hockey space isn't advanced enough to justify removing the human eye from the goal-review process. That said, the league is confident the tech will eventually meet a certain standard and be used for reviews. Don't be surprised if the NHL first runs an experiment in the AHL to work out kinks.I think it's smart to adopt a conservative approach here. Using player and puck tracking for statistical analysis purposes is one thing, but relying on the tech to help determine goals and thus wins and losses is another thing entirely.<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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DeBoer hire evidence of moved goalposts, Leafs GM names, more NHL hot topics

The Buffalo Sabres' meteoric rise, from 30th in the NHL standings on Dec. 8 to tied for fifth on ...

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How Buffalo ended its playoff drought, became Cup threat

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>Most impactful deadline-week deals</h3>Bobby McMann, whom Seattle acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline, buried his sixth goal in seven games Thursday during the Kraken's 4-3 overtime win versus the Lightning. The speedy winger is leading the attack and setting himself up for a hefty raise as a pending unrestricted free agent. But for what? Seattle's currently three points behind the playoff cutline in the Western Conference.Below are the most impactful deadline-week pickups among playoff teams.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Nazem Kadri: The league-leading Avalanche were shopping for a middle-six center who could accentuate their strengths. No one on the trade block fit the description better than Kadri, the former Av who was a key member of the 2022 Stanley Cup team, and the rebuilding Flames were happy to off-load the 35-year-old.Kadri's return to Denver has been seamless. Lining up both down the middle and on the wing, he trails only Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas in points since being traded (two goals and four assists for six points in 10 games). Most crucially, Kadri's injected life into a perplexingly bad power play that also features MacKinnon, Necas, Cale Makar, and Brock Nelson on its top unit.Colorado's power play prior to the Kadri trade: 5.4 goals per 60 minutes, ranking 32nd out of 32 teams. Its power play after the trade, with Kadri assuming a playmaking role from the right flank: 7.8 goals per 60, ranking 14th.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828313/cropped_GettyImages-2266602632.jpg?ts=1774625963" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828313/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266602632.jpg?ts=1774625963 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828313/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266602632.jpg?ts=1774625963 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828313/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266602632.jpg?ts=1774625963 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828313/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266602632.jpg?ts=1774625963 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828313/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266602632.jpg?ts=1774625963 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>John Carlson: Coach Joel Quenneville has thrown Carlson into the deep end, and the 36-year-old blue-liner is enjoying every minute of it. He's recorded six points in six games while averaging a team-high 24:20 per night. His latest contribution: a crafty primary assist on Mikael Granlund's one-timer with six seconds remaining in overtime Thursday.Carlson, a 17-year veteran who had previously played only for the Capitals, has taken five-on-five shifts with all three of the Ducks' young lefties (Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, Jackson LaCombe) to start his tenure. The Pacific Division-leading squad was desperate for mobility and puck-moving chops on the right side. Carlson's been aggressive, pinching and joining the rush often.Things are going so well that the pending UFA could very well re-sign.Conor Garland: Columbus has strung together a 6-2-3 record since acquiring Garland from Vancouver for second- and third-round picks. The feisty top-six forward has undoubtedly raised the surging club's ceiling.Garland's a play-driving winger who distributes the puck well and wins a ton of board battles despite his size (5-foot-10, 165 pounds). He's recorded five goals and an assist in 11 games while skating for 12:41 a night. The Blue Jackets have outscored the opposition 5-3 and owned 56% of the expected goals in the 101 five-on-five minutes Garland has shared with center Sean Monahan.The Canucks didn't receive a first-round pick for Garland because his six-year, $36-million extension (which includes a no-movement clause) doesn't kick in until next season, and he's already 30 years old. How will the deal look in Years 4-6?<h3>Norris Trophy: Choose your fighter</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828182/cropped_GettyImages-2265861817.jpg?ts=1774569885" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828182/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265861817.jpg?ts=1774569885 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828182/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265861817.jpg?ts=1774569885 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828182/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265861817.jpg?ts=1774569885 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828182/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265861817.jpg?ts=1774569885 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828182/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265861817.jpg?ts=1774569885 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tomas Diniz Santos / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>I can't recall a year in which there were so many defensemen with legitimate cases to either win the Norris Trophy or earn one of the two other finalist nods.It reminds me of the old "Mortal Kombat" video games. Choose your fighter!Using five words or less, here are the cases for eight (unranked) contenders.<ul>
<li>Evan Bouchard, Oilers: best offensive defenseman</li>
<li>Moritz Seider, Red Wings: best defensive defenseman</li>
<li>Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres: significant three-zone impacts</li>
<li>Quinn Hughes, Wild: most influential shift to shift</li>
<li>Cale Makar, Avalanche: best all-around defenseman</li>
<li>Lane Hutson, Canadiens: slightly lesser version of Makar</li>
<li>Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets: most valuable to own team</li>
<li>Matthew Schaefer, Islanders: slightly lesser version of Werenski</li>
</ul><h3>Lightning, Hurricanes, then who?</h3>Like most of us, a front-office member of an Eastern Conference team is still wondering what to make of the East field beyond Tampa Bay and Carolina."It's almost impossible to distinguish who the third-best team is," the staffer said. "There's an argument to be made that any team can be the third - Columbus, Boston, Montreal, Buffalo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, or the Islanders."They made that comment before the Senators' playoff odds improved. The club boasts sparkling underlying numbers, and struggling starting goalie Linus Ullmark is fresh off two strong outings. Then again, the blue line is banged up.We know roughly what to expect from the Lightning and Hurricanes, thanks to recent history. The others present flawed rosters and youthfulness. The Sabres would be my vote for third-best team, with the Blue Jackets not far behind.<h3>Preds' bright spots: playoffs and Wood</h3>The Predators executed a soft sell around the trade deadline, swapping pending UFAs Michael Bunting, Michael McCarron, and Nick Blankenburg for draft picks. The Andrew Brunette-coached squad has responded by putting together a 6-3-1 record to grab the West's second wild card.Matthew Wood, selected 15th overall in 2023, is one player who's taking advantage of the team's depleted talent pool. The 21-year-old rookie center is logging an extra two minutes per night since the deadline, skating alongside offensive catalysts Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault on the second line. The Preds have outscored the opposition 5-1 in the trio's 66 five-on-five minutes together.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828133/cropped_GettyImages-2259407198.jpg?ts=1774545718" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828133/w220xh124_GettyImages-2259407198.jpg?ts=1774545718 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828133/w320xh180_GettyImages-2259407198.jpg?ts=1774545718 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828133/w640xh360_GettyImages-2259407198.jpg?ts=1774545718 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828133/w768xh432_GettyImages-2259407198.jpg?ts=1774545718 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828133/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2259407198.jpg?ts=1774545718 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Casey Gower / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Nashville is banking on Wood blossoming into a needle-moving center despite him alternating between center and wing at lower levels. I'm told Brunette really believes in him. Heck, the raw package is enticing: Wood is 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, capable defensively, and a clever playmaker. Plus, he can rifle the puck."He has a good flair for what's coming up ice when he has the puck," Marchessault <a href="https://x.com/RussellV_MSP/status/2036645840215855427">told</a> reporters Tuesday.The veteran added, "A lot of people would dream to have a big right-handed centerman like him - and a goal-scorer. Definitely lucky to have him."Wood, who's registered a modest 16 goals and 10 assists in 61 games, was criticized for poor skating during his draft year. It's gradually improved over the past three years partly due to his work with private skating coach Brett Strot.Playing center helps as well. In the defensive zone, centers cover a wide area, forcing them to constantly move their feet, whereas wingers are stuck on the wall. This lets Wood wind up and then hit a high speed through the neutral zone.The Preds are searching for a general manager after Barry Trotz <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3469953" href="https://thescore.com/news/3469953">announced</a> his retirement in February. Multiple league sources have warned to not be surprised if a hockey operations outsider, such as an agent, gets hired as GM.<h3>Pastrnak's the ultimate dual threat</h3>Bruins superstar David Pastrnak won't win the Hart Trophy this year.Yet, purely from an offense generation perspective, nobody does more with less than Pastrnak. He has such little help in Boston at even strength and on the power play. This bears out on the Bruins' primary assist leaderboard: Pastrnak has 50, Charlie McAvoy has 26 (including 10 on the power play, where he quarterbacks from the point), while everybody else has 14 or fewer.Pastrnak, a 60-goal scorer with four other seasons of 40 or more, began his career as a shoot-first, pass-second winger. However, his assist rate started to soar once longtime No. 1 center Patrice Bergeron retired in summer 2023.<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Season</th>
<th>Assists per 60 minutes</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2020-21</td>
<td>1.88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021-22</td>
<td>1.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022-23</td>
<td>1.94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-24</td>
<td>2.31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2024-25</td>
<td>2.28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2025-26</td>
<td>2.61</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>Five active players have scored at least 60 goals in a season: Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos, and Pastrnak.McDavid, a generational talent who's always been an exceptional passer, has reached 60 or more assists in all nine of his full NHL seasons. Stamkos has one 60-assist season to his name. Matthews and Ovechkin don't have any.Pastrnak, who's produced 63, 63, and 61 (and counting) over the past three seasons, respectively, is the only 60-goal guy aside from McDavid with multiple 60-assist campaigns.<h3>When should a GM be fired?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828180/cropped_GettyImages-2266027397.jpg?ts=1774568904" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828180/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266027397.jpg?ts=1774568904 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828180/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266027397.jpg?ts=1774568904 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828180/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266027397.jpg?ts=1774568904 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828180/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266027397.jpg?ts=1774568904 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828180/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266027397.jpg?ts=1774568904 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Reader Frank D. recently asked about shaking up an NHL front office.<blockquote>At what point do changes need to be made at the front office level for a club - GM/president? How and when should these changes happen?</blockquote>A team owner will ordinarily task its leading hockey executive with handling three main things: creating a clear-eyed plan for building a Cup contender, executing on said plan thoughtfully and in a sustainable fashion, and managing external (fans, media) and internal expectations along the way.An owner also wants progress. Months of inaction, especially if the plan goes sideways and a new path must be charted ASAP, tends to not be tolerated.A coach can "lose the room" if his message to the players gets stale. The GM equivalent involves players, coaches, fans, and media losing faith in the direction of the franchise. Often, the issue is that the team is directionless.If you're looking for a current example of a club needing to make a change, look no further than the Maple Leafs. GM Brad Treliving's short- and long-term plans would never be described as particularly thoughtful; he's failed to effectively manage expectations in a high-intensity Canadian market; and he's neither executed on the original plan nor cleanly pivoted to something new.<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>
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Assessing most impactful deadline pickups, 8 Norris candidates, more NHL hot topics

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>Admiring Schaefer's historic season</h3>If Matthew Schaefer had been born two weeks later, back in September 2007, he wouldn't have been eligible for the NHL draft until this coming summer.Let that sink in for a moment. The Islanders superstar was almost too young for last year's draft class, yet he's dominating the NHL on a nightly basis.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Schaefer is the 18th defenseman in NHL history to play 50 or more games at 18 years old. Among that exclusive group, Schaefer already holds the record for most goals (21), and he currently sits first in average ice time (24:20 per game). He's also fourth in shots on goal (trailing Bobby Orr, Phil Housley, and Rasmus Dahlin) and second in points and points per game (Housley).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827400/cropped_GettyImages-2266934992.jpg?ts=1774051381" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827400/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266934992.jpg?ts=1774051381 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827400/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266934992.jpg?ts=1774051381 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827400/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266934992.jpg?ts=1774051381 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827400/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266934992.jpg?ts=1774051381 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827400/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266934992.jpg?ts=1774051381 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Schaefer's impact through 69 contests is borderline immeasurable. He's a transformative addition in every way and has fully embraced life on Long Island. After starting the season in a somewhat sheltered role, Schaefer's now facing the opposition's best players and largely excelling. He's built tremendous chemistry with star center Mat Barzal, completing mesmerizing give-and-gos while also controlling the flow of play most shifts. The 2024-25 Isles ranked 20th in offensive-zone puck possession; they're fourth now.New York is unexpectedly jockeying for a playoff spot in late March.What I find endlessly fascinating: Schaefer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3347320" href="https://thescore.com/news/3347320">wasn't a lock</a> to make the opening-night roster. The Isles loved what he brought on and off the ice, but he was 18 and had played a mere 17 OHL games in his draft year. Oh, simpler times.<h3>Canada searching for Armstrong successor </h3>With Doug Armstrong <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501893" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501893">stepping down</a>, Team Canada has a general manager vacancy ahead of the 2028 World Cup of Hockey and 2030 Olympics.It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Sidney Crosby will be offered the prestigious job down the road. But Crosby will either be suiting up for Canada in the World Cup or freshly retired, so it's safe to rule him out for the time being (plus, we don't know for sure if No. 87 even wants to be a manager).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827378/cropped_GettyImages-1273384787.jpg?ts=1774040983" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827378/w220xh124_GettyImages-1273384787.jpg?ts=1774040983 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827378/w320xh180_GettyImages-1273384787.jpg?ts=1774040983 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827378/w640xh360_GettyImages-1273384787.jpg?ts=1774040983 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827378/w768xh432_GettyImages-1273384787.jpg?ts=1774040983 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827378/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1273384787.jpg?ts=1774040983 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>If not Sid the Kid, then who? The smart money's on Hockey Canada elevating one of its assistant managers from the Milan Cortina Games. The management group included Jim Nill (Dallas), Julien BriseBois (Tampa Bay), Don Sweeney (Boston), Kyle Dubas (Pittsburgh), and ex-NHLer Ryan Getzlaf.Nill, Stars GM since 2013-14, and BriseBois, Lightning GM since 2018-19, are the best fits for the role based on depth of experience, ability to build winning teams, and overall reputation within hockey circles. Both are highly respected.If recent performance is valued, Kent Hughes (Montreal) would be a strong pick for an assistant GM role. The ex-agent crushed the Canadiens' rebuild.<h3>Young Hutson making Caps look smart</h3>Cole Hutson won't be in contention for the Calder Trophy after leaving Boston University for the Capitals this past weekend. But we can pencil him in - heck, let's use pen - as a favorite to claim 2026-27's rookie of the year award.Hutson, younger brother to Canadiens sophomore Lane, has been sensational through two games. On Wednesday, he looked as polished as an NCAA defenseman jumping straight to the NHL could, cleverly weaving in and out of traffic all night before scoring an empty-net goal in a 4-1 Washington win over Ottawa. Two days later, skating alongside veteran Matt Roy again, the 19-year-old logged 17 minutes against New Jersey in a 2-1 Capitals victory.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827379/cropped_GettyImages-2267318455.jpg?ts=1774041165" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827379/w220xh124_GettyImages-2267318455.jpg?ts=1774041165 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827379/w320xh180_GettyImages-2267318455.jpg?ts=1774041165 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827379/w640xh360_GettyImages-2267318455.jpg?ts=1774041165 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827379/w768xh432_GettyImages-2267318455.jpg?ts=1774041165 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827379/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2267318455.jpg?ts=1774041165 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> G Fiume / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Selected 43rd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Hutson is two inches taller and 13 pounds heavier than his brother. While he seems a bit less invested in head fakes, their games are similar: spectacular lateral mobility, shiftiness in all three zones, natural confidence with the puck, and elite hockey intelligence, to name a few attributes. He's a game-changer for a Capitals club slowly but surely turning its roster over to a newer, younger core."Little things that we're showing him (during on-ice and video sessions), he can finish your sentence," Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery <a href="https://x.com/Capitals/status/2034691373941592247">told reporters</a> Thursday. "That is usually an indicator of a young player who has a really good sense for the game and can process things really, really quickly."<h3>Goalies can't catch a break</h3>The league-average save percentage has hit a 32-year low.The average SV% in the NHL was .903 in 2023-24. It dropped to .900 last year and sank again this season to .896, the lowest rate since 1993-94.Two major influences are at play. One, offenses are optimizing for high-quality scoring chances more than ever before, so the average shot on goal in 2026 is significantly harder to save than in, say, 2016. Two, the league's stat-tracking standards have been scrutinized and tightened in the sports betting era.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827380/cropped_GettyImages-2264824039.jpg?ts=1774041255" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827380/w220xh124_GettyImages-2264824039.jpg?ts=1774041255 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827380/w320xh180_GettyImages-2264824039.jpg?ts=1774041255 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827380/w640xh360_GettyImages-2264824039.jpg?ts=1774041255 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827380/w768xh432_GettyImages-2264824039.jpg?ts=1774041255 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827380/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2264824039.jpg?ts=1774041255 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Take, for example, a puck that trickles to the crease before the goalie covers it, or a misfired pass that finds its way on net. In previous years, those plays would likely have counted as shots on goal, but probably not nowadays. The case for awarding a shot is straightforward: the puck would have passed the goal line if the netminder didn't stop it. A stopped puck, in other words, should be considered a save.A veteran NHL netminder recently told me that he's always been frustrated by the hockey world's lack of interest in the goalie perspective. Goalie interference, equipment changes, goals saved above expected models, and shot tracking are areas where he believes goalies' opinions are often ignored.Why does any of this matter? Despite advancements in analytical models, goalies are frequently still judged by goals-against average and SV%. Every shot counts, especially for guys fighting for backup and third-stringer jobs.<h3>Standings turned upside down</h3>The 2025-26 season has evolved into the year of standings disruption.Through Friday's games, only nine of last year's 16 playoff teams are holding down a postseason spot. Newcomers include Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Boston, and Detroit in the East, and Anaheim and Utah in the West. The Sabres have jumped all the way from 26th in points percentage to fourth.The crazy twist: Winnipeg and Washington - last season's conference leaders with 116 and 111 points, respectively - are on track to miss the 2026 playoffs. (<a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">MoneyPuck</a> gives the Jets 4.7% playoff odds, Capitals 8.6%.)The No. 1 seed in a conference has missed the following postseason just seven times in league history, according to NHL Stats. Not once have both conference No. 1 seeds failed to qualify the next year.The Jets and Caps could be trivia answers soon.<h3>Two 'zero' stats to keep tabs on</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827382/cropped_GettyImages-2253822511.jpg?ts=1774041658" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827382/w220xh124_GettyImages-2253822511.jpg?ts=1774041658 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827382/w320xh180_GettyImages-2253822511.jpg?ts=1774041658 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827382/w640xh360_GettyImages-2253822511.jpg?ts=1774041658 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827382/w768xh432_GettyImages-2253822511.jpg?ts=1774041658 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827382/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2253822511.jpg?ts=1774041658 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Debora Robinson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It's extremely rare for an everyday NHL player to end a season with a zero in a statistical category. For instance, even low-usage, low-skill enforcers manage to score one or two goals thanks to the puck randomly bouncing their way.As the season winds down, two compelling "zero" stats are worth monitoring.Goal-scoring king Alex Ovechkin has started exactly zero shifts in the defensive zone through 70 games with the Capitals. No player has finished a season with zero in that category since the NHL started tracking zone starts in 2007-08.Carbery controls Ovechkin's usage and deployment, and there's no reason to believe the third-year Caps bench boss will be straying from his carefully crafted strategy. Ovechkin is highly likely to pull it off: zero in 82 games at 40.Meanwhile, Ducks winger Troy Terry hasn't been credited with a single hit in 49 contests despite skating for 18:16 a night. Nobody with a minimum of 41 games played (half a season) has finished with zero since the NHL began tracking hits in 2005-06.Though a season of non-violence would be amusing, Terry will probably record a hit down the stretch. It already feels impossible that he's close to 50 games and 900 minutes and somehow hasn't even accidentally body checked anyone.<h3>Dallas used to stiff competition</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827404/cropped_GettyImages-2251592673.jpg?ts=1774053812" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827404/w220xh124_GettyImages-2251592673.jpg?ts=1774053812 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827404/w320xh180_GettyImages-2251592673.jpg?ts=1774053812 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827404/w640xh360_GettyImages-2251592673.jpg?ts=1774053812 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827404/w768xh432_GettyImages-2251592673.jpg?ts=1774053812 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827404/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2251592673.jpg?ts=1774053812 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Stars and Wild, two of the top five teams in the NHL this season, are primed to meet in Round 1 of the playoffs. As of Saturday morning, Dallas and Minnesota occupied the Central Division's No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively.What an unfortunate outcome for the two franchises. Just about everybody<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3502952" href="https://thescore.com/news/3502952"> except for </a>commissioner Gary Bettman would rather see the playoff format properly reward top teams, not pit them against each other in the opening round.An NHL team executive mentioned in passing that Dallas can't catch a break with the playoff bracket. Check out their last seven opponents:<ul>
<li>2025 conference final: Edmonton</li>
<li>2025 second round: Winnipeg</li>
<li>2025 first round: Colorado</li>
<li>2024 conference final: Edmonton</li>
<li>2024 second round: Colorado</li>
<li>2024 first round: Vegas</li>
<li>2023 conference final: Vegas (Stanley Cup winner)</li>
</ul>That's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl twice, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar twice, the President's Trophy-winning Jets, and two loaded Golden Knights squads that were well over the salary cap come playoff time.Any serious Cup contender must meet the league's best at some point in the playoffs. But a seven-series stretch without a single easy out? Rough.<h3>Does all-Russian line have edge?</h3>Reader Nate B. recently asked about foreign languages within NHL teams:<blockquote>Big time Wild fan here. Coach John Hynes has put Danila Yurov, Yakov Trenin, and Vladimir Tarasenko on a line at points this year. It made me think, are there any language regulations within a team? On the bench? It seems to me that if a whole line can speak Russian, it may be a slight advantage on the ice if there are no Russians on the other team.</blockquote>I asked a longtime NHL assistant coach (who also had a lengthy playing career at forward) for his two cents on this intriguing, albeit very niche, topic."There can be chemistry and familiarity built on and off the ice. I get that," the coach said. "But speaking a different language isn't really an edge. Doesn't move the needle in terms of communicating at a different level on the ice."As for any regulations on what's spoken on the bench, inside the dressing room, or in other team settings, the coach said it's an unwritten rule to limit conversations in foreign languages. Talking Russian, French, or Czech in a small group for an extended period can make players, coaches, and staff unnecessarily subconscious. Are they talking about me?"We're all on the same team. English is the universal language in the NHL."<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>
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Schaefer's historic season, Team Canada GM options, more NHL hot topics

Getting value for your dollar is essential in the NHL's 32-team salary cap era.  Which players pr...

Getting value for your dollar is essential in the NHL's 32-team salary cap era.Which players provide outsized value relative to their cap hit?Conversely, which ones are at the other end of the spectrum, offering minimal return on investment?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>We've identified the five best and five worst contracts of 2025-26, with one month left in the regular season. Two important notes. First, all players on entry-level deals were excluded from this exercise because ELCs are inherently valuable. (Sorry, Macklin Celebrini.) Second, since we're only discussing the current season, future contract years weren't factored into the analysis.<h3>Best value contracts</h3>Darren Raddysh, Lightning: Nobody at any position has broken out this year like Raddysh, who's making only $975,000 in his third full NHL season. The 30-year-old blue-liner's 58 points lead all pending unrestricted free agents. Among NHL defensemen, he's sixth in goals (17) and tied for 10th in five-on-five on-ice goal differential (plus-22). Raddysh's slap shot is dangerous (league-high 77 shots of 90 mph or higher), and he logs the most minutes on Tampa Bay (22:38 a night). He's due for a massive raise this offseason.Ryan O'Reilly, Predators: One of the league's smartest forwards continues to find a way, even at 35 years old, to leave his mark on every shift. O'Reilly, a detail-oriented center with a $4.5-million cap hit, has been Nashville's tone-setter. He leads the Predators in points (61 in 66 games), five-on-five goal differential (plus-nine), and forward ice time (20:16). He remains crafty, ranking first in the NHL in takeaways and 15th in puck-battle wins while winning 55.5% of his faceoffs. This has been arguably O'Reilly's best season since he won three major trophies - Selke, Conn Smythe, Stanley Cup - in 2018-19.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827037/cropped_GettyImages-2266239210.jpg?ts=1773848392" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827037/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266239210.jpg?ts=1773848392 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827037/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266239210.jpg?ts=1773848392 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827037/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266239210.jpg?ts=1773848392 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827037/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266239210.jpg?ts=1773848392 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827037/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266239210.jpg?ts=1773848392 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Zak Krill / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Pavel Dorofeyev, Golden Knights: A rare Vegas draft pick to suit up for the team, Dorofeyev has followed up last year's 35-goal outburst with 34 tallies in 68 games to put him on pace for 41 in 82 contests as a 25-year-old. The opportunistic Russian winger is the top shooting option on the Golden Knights' first power-play unit, and he trails only Wyatt Johnston of Dallas in PP goals (18 to 22). Selected 79th overall in 2019, Dorofeyev is making $1.835 million this season and is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights.Martin Necas, Avalanche: The speedy Czech winger won't be on this list next season after his eight-year extension carrying an $11.5-million cap hit kicks in. But, in 2025-26, Necas is a mega bargain at $6.5 million. Excluding players on entry-level contracts, he owns the lowest cap hit among the NHL's top 30 scorers. Colorado is paying Necas - who's tied for eighth in points with 81 in 64 games - just $80,247 per point ("just" is relative here). Necas has more or less replaced former Avs winger Mikko Rantanen in terms of overall nightly impact.Jet Greaves, Blue Jackets: The soon-to-be 25-year-old goalie may be on a slightly above league-minimum salary ($812,500), but he's been wildly effective in 43 appearances. Greaves, who's in his first full NHL season, has saved 22.2 goals above expected while holding down a .909 save percentage. The pending RFA with an ultra-quick glove hand is one of the league's shortest (6-foot) and busiest goalies (28.5 shots against per game). The Blue Jackets signed him out of junior as an undrafted free agent in 2022.Honorable mentions: Luke Evangelista (Predators), Anthony Mantha (Penguins), Kirill Marchenko (Blue Jackets), Justin Sourdif (Capitals), Scott Wedgewood (Avalanche)<h3>Worst value contracts</h3>Sergei Bobrovsky, Panthers: The two-time Vezina Trophy winner checks off all the boxes of a low-value player. Carrying the highest cap hit on his team ($10 million), Bobrovsky is significantly underperforming, posting a cringeworthy .876 save percentage. And with the Panthers essentially out of playoff contention (0.3% odds, per <a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">MoneyPuck</a>), there's no heroic second act coming this spring. Bobrovsky, a 37-year-old pending UFA who may re-sign in Florida, has made 971 saves in 2,677 minutes played this season - that's $10,299 per save and $3,736 per minute.Elias Pettersson, Canucks: Once considered a star, Pettersson's now a useful top-six center. While the odds of him returning to his elite form diminish by the day, a rebound in 2026-27 can't be entirely ruled out. Right now, however, Pettersson's contributions fit more with a $5-million player than someone attached to the league's eighth-highest cap hit. The Swede is making $11.6 million but has generated only 0.68 points per game. His on-ice numbers are atrocious, too. Vancouver owns only 39.1% of scored goals and 46.6% of expected goals in Pettersson's five-on-five minutes this season.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827046/cropped_GettyImages-2265608065.jpg?ts=1773849213" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827046/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265608065.jpg?ts=1773849213 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827046/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265608065.jpg?ts=1773849213 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827046/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265608065.jpg?ts=1773849213 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827046/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265608065.jpg?ts=1773849213 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827046/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265608065.jpg?ts=1773849213 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Derek Cain / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Darnell Nurse, Oilers: The 31-year-old has logged 50 or more five-on-five minutes alongside eight Edmonton defensemen this season - an extremely high number of partners for a veteran making $9.25 million. Only two of those combinations - with No. 1 blue-liner Evan Bouchard and with No. 2 Mattias Ekholm - have led to a positive goal differential for the Oilers. Similar to Pettersson, part of the issue is that Nurse's bloated contract includes a no-move clause. The player's virtually unmovable.Ondrej Palat, Devils: A key member of Tampa's 2020-21 Cup teams, Palat inked a lucrative five-year deal with the Devils in 2022. It was evident in the moment that his $6-million cap hit wouldn't age well, and here we are. Turning 35 next week, Palat was given plenty of ice time alongside skilled players in New Jersey but struggled to capitalize on scoring chances and keep pace. Traded to the Islanders in January, the 6-foot, 194-pound winger has recorded 14 points in 67 games - $428,571 per point.Jordan Binnington, Blues: With Olympic performances irrelevant in this exercise, Binnington's season has been downright awful. His ghastly .871 save percentage sits last among goalies with 30 or more appearances in 2025-26. The fiery netminder has earned just 10 wins in 36 games while allowing 11.2 goals above expectation. The silver medalist makes $6 million annually.Honorable mentions: Brendan Gallagher (Canadiens), Jonathan Huberdeau (Flames), Tristan Jarry (Oilers), Morgan Rielly (Maple Leafs), Chandler Stephenson (Kraken)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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Bargains and burdens: Best, worst value contracts of 2025-26 season

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>Tanking SZN: Sizing up woeful teams</h3>Parity was a defining feature of 2025-26's first half. The vast majority of teams were well within striking distance of a playoff spot through November.Then, in mid-December, Vancouver sent superstar Quinn Hughes to Minnesota in a seismic trade that changed the trajectories of two franchises.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Canucks began sinking to the bottom of the standings. Others followed in the lead-up to the March 6 trade deadline. And now, a week later and with roughly 20% of the season remaining, the tanking competition is officially on. The Eastern Conference's Maple Leafs, Devils, and Rangers are miserable viewing experiences. The West's futility runs four teams deep: Jets, Blackhawks, Flames, and last-place Canucks. The Blues will surely join soon.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826337/cropped_GettyImages-2266398330.jpg?ts=1773500413" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826337/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266398330.jpg?ts=1773500413 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826337/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266398330.jpg?ts=1773500413 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826337/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266398330.jpg?ts=1773500413 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826337/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266398330.jpg?ts=1773500413 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826337/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266398330.jpg?ts=1773500413 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Derek Cain / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Finishing with a bottom-three record is key. The 32nd-place team receives <a href="https://tankathon.com/nhl/pick_odds">25.1% odds</a> of landing the No. 1 pick and is guaranteed a top-three pick. The 31st and 30th teams are guaranteed top-four and top-five picks, respectively.Strength of schedule is extremely important. Among the teams with the 10 lowest points percentages Saturday morning, St. Louis, Nashville, and Seattle are scheduled to face the weakest competition, according to <a href="https://tankathon.com/nhl/remaining_schedule_strength">Tankathon</a>.Here are those 10 down-bad teams' projected point totals, from <a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">MoneyPuck</a>:<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Points %</th>
<th>Games left</th>
<th>Projected points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Canucks</td>
<td>.369</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>63.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Flames</td>
<td>.454</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>75.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Blackhawks</td>
<td>.469</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>77.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Blues</td>
<td>.485</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>80.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rangers</td>
<td>.477</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>80.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jets</td>
<td>.484</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>81.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maple Leafs</td>
<td>.508</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>82.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Devils</td>
<td>.508</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>84.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Predators</td>
<td>.515</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>85.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kraken</td>
<td>.523</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>85.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>My prediction: the Canucks win the draft lottery (huge lead right now) and have a difficult time deciding between top prospects Ivar Stenberg, Gavin McKenna, and Keaton Verhoeff. St. Louis and Calgary, two big deadline sellers who desperately need high-end talent, end up with top-three picks.<h3>Gudas suspension indeed 'laughable'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826333/cropped_GettyImages-2266220358.jpg?ts=1773498266" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826333/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266220358.jpg?ts=1773498266 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826333/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266220358.jpg?ts=1773498266 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826333/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266220358.jpg?ts=1773498266 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826333/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266220358.jpg?ts=1773498266 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826333/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266220358.jpg?ts=1773498266 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Tanouye / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Auston Matthews will miss the Maple Leafs' remaining 16 games with a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion. Radko Gudas, the Ducks captain who injured Matthews on a reckless knee-on-knee hit Thursday, will miss five games.It's Gudas' fifth career suspension totaling 26 games. On top of the hit itself, track record and injury severity should play significant roles in determining suspension length. The NHL's Department of Player Safety downplayed both."In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked the league would allow such a ruling," Matthews' longtime agent, Judd Moldaver, said in a strongly worded statement to theScore and other media outlets."A phone hearing and five games is laughable and preposterous. While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous. This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players. Players and fans deserve better. The Player Safety Department should be suspended."I more or less agree with Moldaver's sentiments here. I believe Gudas should have been suspended for a minimum of 10 games. Five doesn't send a strong enough message to a player who has clearly not learned his lesson.<h3>Luke 'Scoops' Schenn moves again</h3>When Luke Schenn was traded to Buffalo last Friday, my initial thought had nothing to do with the 36-year-old defenseman's place on the Sabres' depth chart. Instead, I wondered how Schenn, one of the most well-connected and curious players in the league, learned about his own deal.Schenn, who after debuting for the Sabres on Thursday has now suited up for 10 different franchises over 18 seasons, is a popular teammate. A steakhouse aficionado, he's known for spearheading big group dinners on the road.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826253/cropped_GettyImages-2265629194.jpg?ts=1773425340" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826253/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265629194.jpg?ts=1773425340 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826253/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265629194.jpg?ts=1773425340 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826253/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265629194.jpg?ts=1773425340 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826253/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265629194.jpg?ts=1773425340 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826253/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265629194.jpg?ts=1773425340 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Hrycych / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>He has two nicknames: "Schenner" and "Scoops." The latter developed over time as teammates came to realize Schenn always has his finger on the pulse."Every day, he's got something new for me, where he's talked to somebody around the league or something like that," former Predators teammate Ryan O'Reilly told me last season. "He'll look at me, raise his eyebrows, smile, and go, 'Hey, guess what?'"Before a coach is fired - before (the news is) released publicly, anyway - somehow Schenner will know, and he'll be the first one to break it to the boys," O'Reilly added. "Same with trades: He'll be like, 'Hey, I'm hearing a rumor that this guy is going here or there.' It's pretty funny. He knows so many people in so many different roles because he's been in the league so long."Insider Schenn caught Filip Forsberg off guard on July 1, 2024, with a text message about Lightning captain Steven Stamkos signing in Nashville."Schenner likes the networking. He likes a good dinner and a good hot stove," said Forsberg, a two-year teammate. "He's just an awesome human being. Everyone wants to be around him, and he really gets to know people."<h3>Every GM looking for next Graf</h3>NHL teams are starting to sign free agents out of U.S. colleges - it's that time of year. Collin Graf is one of the top NCAA success stories of the decade.Graf, who signed with the Sharks in April 2024 following one year at Union College and two at Quinnipiac University, has established himself as a reliable top-nine winger during his first full NHL season. The undrafted 23-year-old has racked up 17 goals and 36 points in 62 games while moving up and down the five-on-five lineup. He also leads San Jose's 15th-ranked penalty kill.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826249/cropped_GettyImages-2255626834.jpg?ts=1773423332" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826249/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255626834.jpg?ts=1773423332 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826249/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255626834.jpg?ts=1773423332 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826249/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255626834.jpg?ts=1773423332 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826249/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255626834.jpg?ts=1773423332 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826249/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255626834.jpg?ts=1773423332 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eakin Howard / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Sharks need energetic, puck-retrieving forwards like Graf and recently acquired (and extended) Kiefer Sherwood to make life easier on offensive drivers Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa. GM Mike Grier would be wise to offer Graf, a pending restricted free agent, a long-term extension.Graf didn't kill penalties in college, so the organization deserves props for giving the brainy forward a defined role and letting him learn on the job."Last year during training camp, when I went down to the AHL, the coaching staff there wanted me to work on penalty killing. They really wanted me to add that tool to my toolbox," Graf said in December. "Ever since then, it's become an important piece of me trying to make an impact every night in the NHL."The Sharks have surrendered just 4.5 goals per 60 minutes with Graf on the ice in shorthanded situations this season. That rate ranks seventh among the 77 NHL forwards who've logged 100 or more minutes on the penalty kill.<h3>No followup to 'future considerations' </h3>Twice on deadline day, an NHL team acquired a legitimate NHLer - Nick Foligno in one instance, Vinnie Hinostroza in the other - without forking over a player or draft pick. Both were swapped for "future considerations."What do "future considerations" typically turn into down the road?"Future considerations is zero. It's nothing. Absolutely nothing," a Western Conference team executive told theScore.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826268/cropped_GettyImages-2265343233.jpg?ts=1773434566" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826268/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265343233.jpg?ts=1773434566 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826268/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265343233.jpg?ts=1773434566 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826268/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265343233.jpg?ts=1773434566 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826268/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265343233.jpg?ts=1773434566 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826268/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265343233.jpg?ts=1773434566 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The league must circle back to the two teams at a later date to ensure an asset has been or will be exchanged, right? Nope, the executive said. One GM is essentially doing a favor for another, and there are no checks and balances.Nevertheless, the executive continued, the league doesn't like "future considerations" featured in trades involving salary retention. This distinction makes some sense, as the optics of exchanging salary cap space for nothing would look much worse on paper than trading a player for nothing."Still, I don't like the inconsistency of it," the executive concluded.Seven trades involving "future considerations" have occurred since the Stanley Cup was handed out last June. The Wild were part of three - buying twice, selling once - while the Mammoth and Blackhawks have completed two each.<h3>Will NHL ever get rid of trapezoid?</h3>Reader Peter G. recently asked about goalies handling the puck:<blockquote>Do you think the NHL will ever get rid of the trapezoid behind the net? I'd like to see goalies handle the puck everywhere. I think it's a lost art form. Bringing this up after watching international games (no trapezoid).</blockquote>The NHL won't be removing the trapezoid-shaped area behind the net anytime soon (probably ever). Introduced following the 2004-05 lockout to facilitate offense, the area continues to serve that purpose in 2025-26.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826257/cropped_GettyImages-1191313958.jpg?ts=1773428097" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826257/w220xh124_GettyImages-1191313958.jpg?ts=1773428097 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826257/w320xh180_GettyImages-1191313958.jpg?ts=1773428097 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826257/w640xh360_GettyImages-1191313958.jpg?ts=1773428097 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826257/w768xh432_GettyImages-1191313958.jpg?ts=1773428097 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826257/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1191313958.jpg?ts=1773428097 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Also, puckhandling, while less chaotic and flashy today than in previous eras, is not a lost art form, according to former NHL netminder Carter Hutton. "I think it's a controlled art form," he said. "There's still a ton of value in handling the puck behind the net. You're just in a confined space. And there's also plenty of plays to make above the goal line if the other team dumps it in."Puckhandling was one of Hutton's biggest strengths during a 234-game career from 2013-2021, so much so that he would use the skill as a bargaining chip in contract negotiations.As Hutton explains, if a goalie handles the puck smoothly and with intent, the trapezoid tends to encourage quicker, craftier touches while reducing much of the risk. "You rarely get caught in no man's land now," he said.That's the nuanced aspect of goalies trying to move the puck deep in their own zone - sometimes the risk isn't worth the reward. "Good puckhandling only makes a difference if you don't get scored on," is how Hutton put it.<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>
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Sizing up tanking teams, Gudas punishment too light, more NHL hot topics

On the morning of March 6, 2024, two days before the annual NHL trade deadline, Bowen Byram felt ...

On the morning of March 6, 2024, two days before the annual NHL trade deadline, Bowen Byram felt sick to his stomach."I had been puking all night, and I still wasn't feeling great when I woke up," the 24-year-old defenseman recalled in a recent interview with theScore.Byram, then a member of the Colorado Avalanche, called one of the team's trainers. He wouldn't be able to attend the morning skate ahead of a home game against Detroit, though he held out hope he might recover in time to draw into the lineup.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 2019 fourth overall pick was lying on the couch in his basement in Denver - "licking my wounds," he said - when the name "Chris MacFarland" popped up on his cell phone screen. Byram wondered if the Avalanche general manager was checking on him or delivering life-altering news.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825752/cropped_GettyImages-2044595722.jpg?ts=1773238972" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825752/w220xh124_GettyImages-2044595722.jpg?ts=1773238972 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825752/w320xh180_GettyImages-2044595722.jpg?ts=1773238972 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825752/w640xh360_GettyImages-2044595722.jpg?ts=1773238972 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825752/w768xh432_GettyImages-2044595722.jpg?ts=1773238972 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825752/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2044595722.jpg?ts=1773238972 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ashley Potts / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It turned out to be the latter: Byram had been traded to the Buffalo Sabres, the club he continues to play for to this day, for forward Casey Mittelstadt."I feel like my name was swirling around in rumors my whole time in Colorado," Byram said. "I wasn't shocked by any means."By early afternoon, his health had turned a corner. He made a quick trip to Ball Arena to retrieve his equipment bag, grab a bundle of sticks, and say goodbye to Avalanche players, coaches, and support staff. By around 5 p.m., Byram was on a commercial flight to Nashville, where the Sabres would play the following night after the Avalanche's recent visit a few days prior."It was a whirlwind," Byram said.NHL players get paid millions to play a sport they love - a childhood dream come true. On the surface, it's an enviable lifestyle full of excitement and opportunity.But behind the glamor, there are a few drawbacks. One phone call can flip a player's world upside down. Imagine an accountant, engineer, or welder being told that they've been "traded" to a rival company and must immediately report to a new city, perhaps thousands of miles away, across a border, or both.Let's unpack what this strange deadline-week "whirlwind" truly looks like.<h3>'Get him from Point A to Point B'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825822/cropped_GettyImages-2193666453.jpg?ts=1773249344" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825822/w220xh124_GettyImages-2193666453.jpg?ts=1773249344 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825822/w320xh180_GettyImages-2193666453.jpg?ts=1773249344 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825822/w640xh360_GettyImages-2193666453.jpg?ts=1773249344 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825822/w768xh432_GettyImages-2193666453.jpg?ts=1773249344 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825822/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2193666453.jpg?ts=1773249344 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>According to PuckPedia, 296 players currently on NHL rosters have partial or full trade protection. That's a whopping 37% of the entire player pool.Still, 63% of players - including hundreds of youngsters ineligible for no-trade or no-movement clauses - are exposed in the lead-up to the March deadline."Sometimes you get caught off guard, and I definitely got caught off guard," Sabres forward Josh Norris said of being traded by the Senators last March.Norris, just a few years into his eight-year deal with Ottawa, was part of a five-piece deadline-day stunner that also featured Dylan Cozens. Already suited up and about to step onto the ice for Senators practice, Norris was suddenly told he'd been traded. "Shit. Where am I going?" he wondered, stunned by the news."They didn't tell me the team until about a half hour later," Norris added.Norris considers himself lucky. Single and with no children or pets, the then-25-year-old didn't have to worry about anyone but himself in the wake of the trade. What makes things easier is that the acquiring team always solves the logistical puzzle.In Carolina, for instance, Hurricanes team operations assistant Mallory Wilmoth snaps into action the moment a trade is being finalized. GM Eric Tulsky officially welcomes the player into the organization with a quick call. Wilmoth, or her manager, is often the second person the player hears from."The very first thing is figuring out where he needs to physically go," Wilmoth said of her post-trade checklist. "We need to get him from Point A to Point B."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825839/cropped_GettyImages-2265336027.jpg?ts=1773254347" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825839/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265336027.jpg?ts=1773254347 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825839/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265336027.jpg?ts=1773254347 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825839/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265336027.jpg?ts=1773254347 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825839/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265336027.jpg?ts=1773254347 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825839/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265336027.jpg?ts=1773254347 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Josh Lavallee / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Wilmoth normally hustles to book flights and airport car services, but Carolina's lone deadline acquisition this year didn't require urgent travel. Rather than fourth-line tough guy Nicolas Deslauriers flying out to meet the team in Alberta to close out a road trip, the ex-Flyer drove his pickup truck from Philadelphia to Raleigh. He skated for the first time as a Hurricane on Monday - three days after Friday's deadline.Corey Perry, sent to the Lightning by the Kings on deadline day, experienced a far more chaotic first 24 hours. He didn't sleep much Friday night as he rushed to Toronto for Tampa Bay's Saturday night game against the Maple Leafs. After a four-hour delay in Los Angeles, the future Hall of Famer's flight landed at 4 a.m. He didn't arrive at the Lightning hotel until 6 p.m. due to customs and immigration. Running on minimal rest and adrenaline, Perry managed to log 15 minutes of ice time and score the 3-2 goal in a 5-2 Tampa win to kickstart the 40-year-old's second tenure with the franchise."Playing in Toronto kind of helps. It's the hockey Mecca," Perry said.Utah acquired MacKenzie Weegar two days before this year's deadline and initially expected the Canadian's visa to be approved within 4-10 days. Instead, the wait was exceptionally short, allowing Weegar to debut Friday night in Columbus.Mammoth director of team operations Dave Griffins said Weegar's trip from Calgary International Airport to Columbus' Nationwide Arena - which included a connecting flight through Denver - ran roughly eight hours door-to-door. Throughout the trip, Griffins tracked Weegar's luggage online, hoping nothing would get lost in transit: "Are his sticks going to make it? His hockey bag?"Columbus was bustling last week with the Arnold Strongman Classic bodybuilding event drawing thousands of tourists downtown. Although Weegar was flying in and out on a game day and didn't need a hotel, Griffins booked one anyway. What if Weegar arrived late, couldn't dress for the Blue Jackets game, and wanted a quiet place to relax? Better safe than sorry.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825859/cropped_GettyImages-2183937918.jpg?ts=1773260635" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825859/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183937918.jpg?ts=1773260635 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825859/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183937918.jpg?ts=1773260635 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825859/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183937918.jpg?ts=1773260635 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825859/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183937918.jpg?ts=1773260635 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825859/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183937918.jpg?ts=1773260635 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Sabau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Now in her third season with the Hurricanes, Wilmoth connects a new player with the equipment managers early in the process via a group text chain. Some NHLers are obsessive about gear. Others are laid-back. The immediate tasks are relaying skate and stick specifications and picking a jersey number.The Hurricanes use the mobile app Teamworks to communicate schedules and itineraries to players. Following a trade, Teamworks automatically moves the player from his old team's account to his new one to streamline the transition.Additionally, Wilmoth calls the acquired player's partner (if he has one) to check for any pressing needs. She'll also ask for kids' clothing sizes to order customized Hurricanes jerseys with the classic "DAD" nameplate on the back. The Canes sometimes leave a welcoming gift, such as wine, in the player's hotel room.While team employees and player agents assume key behind-the-scenes roles, the partner often tackles another to-do list. For example, Byram's partner Kailey - his girlfriend in 2024 and now his fiancee - packed up the couple's Denver house after the trade with help from Byram's mom. She then flew to Buffalo, while a friend of a friend drove Byram's truck and two dogs."My fiancee handled pretty much everything," Byram said. "I was trying to immerse myself in the team environment, focus on hockey, and she was dealing with stuff back home. There was a lot on her plate during that time."<h3>'Sometimes the stars align'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825858/cropped_GettyImages-2264606613.jpg?ts=1773260413" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825858/w220xh124_GettyImages-2264606613.jpg?ts=1773260413 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825858/w320xh180_GettyImages-2264606613.jpg?ts=1773260413 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825858/w640xh360_GettyImages-2264606613.jpg?ts=1773260413 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825858/w768xh432_GettyImages-2264606613.jpg?ts=1773260413 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825858/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2264606613.jpg?ts=1773260413 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Like a kid on his first day of school, an NHLer tends to feel a tad anxious following a trade. There's pressure to perform on the ice right away. Knowing a familiar face on the acquiring team can make all the difference.Defenseman Jordan Spence was exactly that for forward Warren Foegele after his trade from L.A. to Ottawa last week. Upon hearing the news of the move, Foegele texted fellow ex-King Spence nothing but a winking-face emoji."I was really confused," a smiling Spence <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeEqPekEP_I&amp;t=113s">told reporters</a> of his initial reaction. "I was like, 'I have never gotten a text like that before from Foegs ... '"Every NHL team has a players-only group chat for collecting internal fines, coordinating dinners on the road, and dishing out chirps of all kinds. A player leaves one chat, perhaps wishing good luck on the way out, to join another."One day you're a Seattle Kraken, the next you're a Tampa Bay Lightning," is how Tampa forward Oliver Bjorkstrand framed the change, offline and online.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825892/cropped_GettyImages-2224310645.jpg?ts=1773268259" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825892/w220xh124_GettyImages-2224310645.jpg?ts=1773268259 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825892/w320xh180_GettyImages-2224310645.jpg?ts=1773268259 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825892/w640xh360_GettyImages-2224310645.jpg?ts=1773268259 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825892/w768xh432_GettyImages-2224310645.jpg?ts=1773268259 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825892/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2224310645.jpg?ts=1773268259 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tatyana Makeyeva / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Pierre-Luc Dubois has never been moved during deadline week. However, the Capitals forward has been the new dude on three teams after trades in January and June (twice), making him well-acquainted with the jitters that come with jumping into a players-only chat."The hardest one is the first text," Dubois said this past fall at a preseason media event. "When you say hi, it's obviously OK. But the first time putting yourself out there and seeing if nobody answers or everybody does, you're finding out what the enthusiasm level is like. That's the most stressful one."Bjorkstrand's integration into the Lightning dressing room after last year's deadline was helped by the fact that Yanni Gourde, already a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Tampa, was also included in the same Seattle-Tampa swap.During their cross-country flight on Tampa's team jet, Bjorkstrand lobbed questions at Gourde about adjusting to his new city and team. Once settled in Florida, the 30-year-old Dane had access to more than 20 peers to turn to for advice, whether he needed a realtor, a veterinarian, or a paediatrician."Once you get traded, you have to start thinking about that big-picture stuff. You have to do some groundwork and figure it out. You make it work," said Bjorkstrand, who lives with his wife Jill, three-year-old son Otto, and a dog.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825920/cropped_GettyImages-1498753754.jpg?ts=1773272052" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825920/w220xh124_GettyImages-1498753754.jpg?ts=1773272052 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825920/w320xh180_GettyImages-1498753754.jpg?ts=1773272052 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825920/w640xh360_GettyImages-1498753754.jpg?ts=1773272052 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825920/w768xh432_GettyImages-1498753754.jpg?ts=1773272052 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825920/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1498753754.jpg?ts=1773272052 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>In Griffins' experience, players' children don't typically follow them to the new city after the deadline because it would disrupt their schooling late in the year. Also, many traded players are pending unrestricted free agents, making it impractical to lay down roots for just a few months. The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association entitles traded players to six months of rent or mortgage payments. In the modern era, fully furnished Airbnb apartments have become a popular option.Reilly Smith, a 14-year veteran with stops in six different NHL cities, was held out of three Rangers games last March for "trade-related reasons." With only eight teams on his no-trade list, New York had plenty of flexibility. Ultimately, the Rangers picked Vegas, a dream landing spot for an original Golden Knight.Smith and his family (wife, two young kids, dog) were thrilled with how everything worked out. In the weeks leading up to the deadline, Smith was in the process of putting their suburban Las Vegas home on the market, only to ditch the idea and gleefully move back in."One of the hardest things is not knowing where you're going, and then when you have a family, you have another layer of wondering when you're going to see them again," Smith said. "You might be living in a hotel with them for the next couple of months, the rest of the season, depending on what happens. Those are the tough things that go along with being traded at the deadline."Smith, 34, signed a one-year extension in the offseason."Sometimes the stars align," he said of the deadline-week trade.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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Inside the 'whirlwind': What it's like to be traded at the NHL trade deadline

Welcome to your one-stop shop for analysis and grades of every major NHL transaction that was com...

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NHL trade deadline: Analysis and grades for every notable deal

NHL general managers tend to take care of some important business the weekend before the trade de...

NHL general managers tend to take care of some important business the weekend before the trade deadline. Not in 2026 - zero deals were completed.On Monday, the Blackhawks sent defenseman Connor Murphy to the Oilers for a second-round draft pick, giving fans something to talk about. Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline is approaching quickly. Will this be a wild or mild deadline week?Here are the six teams poised to determine this deadline's heat level.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>St. Louis Blues</h3>St. Louis lost in seven games to Winnipeg in the opening round of the 2025 postseason and hoped to challenge for a 2026 playoff spot. But the Blues sit 31st out of 32 teams in points and points percentage thanks to a 22-29-9 record.General manager Doug Armstrong can completely reshape the team this week, as virtually every veteran on the Blues' roster is reportedly available for the right price.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824392/cropped_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1772559292" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824392/w220xh124_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1772559292 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824392/w320xh180_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1772559292 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824392/w640xh360_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1772559292 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824392/w768xh432_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1772559292 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824392/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1504331885.jpg?ts=1772559292 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The headliner is Robert Thomas, an above-average first-line NHL center who's in the prime of his career and attached to a completely reasonable contract ($8.125 million annually through 2030-31). Other trade chips with term on their deals: forwards Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn, defensemen Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko, and goalie Jordan Binnington. Forward Oskar Sundqvist is the club's lone pending unrestricted free agent.The sheer quantity and quality of players potentially on the move this week or in the summer make the Blues' situation unique. Another layer: Armstrong's handing over GM duties to ex-Blues forward Alexander Steen this offseason as part of a succession plan announced in 2024. (Armstrong is set to stay on as president of hockey operations through 2028-29.)It's in the franchise's best interest to lose as many games as possible down the stretch to increase its draft lottery odds. St. Louis has somehow picked in the top 10 only three times in two decades: Dalibor Dvorsky 10th overall in 2023, Alex Pietrangelo fourth overall in 2008, and Erik Johnson first overall in 2006.<h3>Carolina Hurricanes</h3>Who will be this year's equivalent to Jake Guentzel or Mikko Rantanen?Carolina is primed to make yet another significant midseason acquisition. The Hurricanes have plenty of cap space, first-round picks, and desirable prospects, and they've got ample motivation as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.Top-six center is the Hurricanes' most pressing need. St. Louis' Thomas would be the dream pickup. Vancouver's Elias Pettersson would be an a fascinating reclamation project. Calgary's Nazem Kadri would fit Carolina's playing style wonderfully. Seattle's Shane Wright would represent a bet on upside.The Hurricanes have made the playoffs in all seven of coach Rod Brind'Amour's seasons behind the bench, advancing to the conference final in 2019, 2023, and 2025. The East is wide-open. GM Eric Tulsky can't let the deadline pass without upgrading at forward in some way.<h3>Nashville Predators</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824393/cropped_GettyImages-1514473514.jpg?ts=1772559665" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824393/w220xh124_GettyImages-1514473514.jpg?ts=1772559665 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824393/w320xh180_GettyImages-1514473514.jpg?ts=1772559665 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824393/w640xh360_GettyImages-1514473514.jpg?ts=1772559665 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824393/w768xh432_GettyImages-1514473514.jpg?ts=1772559665 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824393/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1514473514.jpg?ts=1772559665 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Predators GM Barry Trotz, the longtime NHL head coach turned executive, announced his retirement in February. He'll remain GM until the organization finds his successor.The transition period includes a deadline in which Nashville hasn't officially declared itself a major seller but should unload. The poorly built Preds are four points below the Western Conference cut line with 22 games remaining. <a href="https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm">MoneyPuck</a> listed them as having a 26.6% chance of making the playoffs entering play Tuesday.The roster features some useful pending UFAs in Michael Bunting, Erik Haula, Michael McCarron, and Nick Blankenburg. It's safe to assume at least three will be moved by week's end. The true intrigue involves some of the club's oldest players: Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, and Jonathan Marchessault.Stamkos has racked up 30 goals in 60 games as a 36-year-old and is under contract through 2027-28 at an $8-million cap hit. O'Reilly, who's enjoying a tremendous two-way campaign at 35, counts for just $4.5 million against the cap this year and next. Marchessault, 35, has battled injuries and inconsistency of late but is a proven playoff performer. He's on the books for three seasons beyond this one at a digestible $5.5 million annually.There's no guarantee any of them get traded. Stamkos and Marchessault have no-move clauses, while Trotz has assured O'Reilly he'd have some control over a potential landing spot.The Trotz era has been disorienting. One week, the GM's seemingly ready to build a contender; the next, he's talking about a retool; and the third, he's threatening a rebuild. The on-ice product has been largely mid. Actions speak louder than words, and this week will reveal a lot about the Preds' direction.<h3>Utah Mammoth</h3>The Mammoth aren't the Arizona Coyotes in name, location, or attitude. Finally operating under stable ownership, GM Bill Armstrong has taken big swings during two seasons in Utah, acquiring a pair of impact players via trade in Mikhail Sergachev (June 2024) and JJ Peterka (June 2025).With the 31-25-4 Mammoth closing in on a playoff spot following a pragmatic but lengthy rebuild, another blockbuster trade feels imminent, even though it's not June. Thomas would be a fantastic addition, and Armstrong - the Blues' director of scouting when St. Louis drafted Thomas in 2017 - has a hefty supply of tradable assets (picks, prospects) and cap space to make it happen.Picture this: Thomas, one of the sport's slickest passers, feeding sniper Dylan Guenther perfect pucks while electric center Logan Cooley dazzles with captain Clayton Keller on the Mammoth's other top line.<h3>New York Rangers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824394/cropped_GettyImages-2264290017.jpg?ts=1772559816" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824394/w220xh124_GettyImages-2264290017.jpg?ts=1772559816 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824394/w320xh180_GettyImages-2264290017.jpg?ts=1772559816 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824394/w640xh360_GettyImages-2264290017.jpg?ts=1772559816 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824394/w768xh432_GettyImages-2264290017.jpg?ts=1772559816 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824394/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2264290017.jpg?ts=1772559816 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jared Silber / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>In mid-January, the Rangers released the so-called Letter 2.0 to formally announce a retool. Pending UFAs Carson Soucy and Artemi Panarin were shipped out within weeks. The returns were fine but ultimately unremarkable.Next up: Vincent Trocheck, a highly sought-after two-way center fresh off an Olympic gold medal. The 32-year-old's contract runs through 2028-29 at $5.625 million a season and includes a 12-team no-trade list. Amid a miserable season on the ice, the 23-29-8 Rangers need to get a haul for Trocheck. The dominant faceoff winner's stock has never been higher.Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Braden Schneider are three other spicy trade chips, though it's possible none of them move this week and GM Chris Drury revisits each situation in the offseason. If Drury decides he's comfortable with navigating something closer to a rebuild, the seismic move would be trading 2021 Norris Trophy winner and No. 1 blue-liner Adam Fox.Teams would be lining up to bid on a top-10 defenseman in the NHL. The career-long Ranger appeals to both contending teams and up-and-comers.<h3>Calgary Flames</h3>Calgary isn't planning to completely bottom out, and GM Craig Conroy already dealt one of his best assets in defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who ended up in Las Vegas in January after months of rumors. So, there's a decent chance the Flames will only make one or two moves this week.But Calgary could also become the deadline's main character.Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and Ryan Lomberg are Conroy's most obvious trade chips. A top-six center, top-nine winger, and fourth-line winger can yield three or four premium assets. The Flames' less obvious but equally fascinating chips are defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Zach Whitecloud.Lomberg is the only pending UFA in the aforementioned group. However, all five have rugged, playoff-warrior styles and will thus find a robust market in the lead-up to Friday. Perhaps a team that's flush with current and future cap space, like Carolina or Detroit, sees an opportunity to acquire two players (say, Kadri and Weegar) and wows Conroy with a monster package.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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6 teams that will determine if trade deadline week is wild or mild

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

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