NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2025

by | Feb 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2025

The Canadiens are linked to Sabres center Dylan Cozens while the Avalanche are believed to be shopping Casey Mittelstadt. Check out the details on these and other notable speculations in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANADIENS INTERESTED IN COZENS?

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reporting the Canadiens are among the teams looking into the availability of Dylan Cozens. Weekes indicated the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs were also interested in the 23-year-old Buffalo Sabres center.

Dumont noted that Cozens’ contract ($7.1 million average annual value through 2029-30) and his inconsistent offense are areas of concern. With several other teams looking at the young center, the Canadiens would have to part with two or three good assets to get him.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico also weighed in on the Canadiens’ rumored interest in Cozens.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).

He believes Cozens wouldn’t be a good fit for the Habs at this stage, citing a source suggesting the Sabres could seek a first-round pick and a good young roster player as part of the return.

The source said the Canadiens won’t part with their two first-rounders in this year’s draft until they’ve got more clarity on where they’ll be in the standings by the March 7 trade deadline. He wondered if the Habs would have more interest in Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like most general managers, Kent Hughes of the Canadiens will conduct due diligence regarding players believed to be available. He has the assets to acquire Cozens but could prefer waiting to see if the asking price goes down.

Hughes could try packaging struggling center Kirby Dach with a first-rounder. However, that’s unlikely to entice the Sabres, especially when a number of teams are said to be interested in Cozens.

As for Byram, the Sabres probably don’t want to part with him unless they’re getting a significant return. That’s why he and Cozens were suggested as a trade package to Vancouver for Elias Pettersson.

AVALANCHE SHOPPING MITTELSTADT

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Colorado Avalanche attempted to acquire center J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks before he was traded to the New York Rangers. However, they never came close enough to threaten the Rangers’ deal.

“That’s why Casey Mittelstadt’s name is out there,” writes Friedman. “Believe New Jersey, Ottawa and Toronto poked around, but not with much traction.”

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin observed Mittelstadt has fallen back into underachiever mode after showing promise last season as a second-line center with the Avs. Nevertheless, he believes the 26-year-old is a good playmaker who could benefit a club seeking help at center for a couple of seasons.

Larkin suggests the Avalanche could be willing to move Mittelstadt, citing their aggressiveness in this year’s trade market by shipping Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. Possible destinations include the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets.

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak made no mention of Mittelstadt as a trade candidate in his examination of the Avalanche’s trade deadline plans.

Masisak suggested they could maybe (emphasis on “maybe”) use a center with some size but believes shoring up the depth among their bottom three defensemen is their biggest need.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt could be used as a trade chip to address that blueline issue. His stock is down from last season when Buffalo shipped him to Colorado for Bowen Byram, which has worked out well for the Sabres. Mittelstadt could become an option for teams that come up short in the bidding for Dylan Cozens.

TRADE RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to sign Brandon Saad before he joined the Vegas Golden Knights last week.

Friedman wonders if the Pittsburgh Penguins keep the top-13 protected pick they received from the Vancouver Canucks in last week’s trade. That was the pick the Canucks received from the New York Rangers in the J.T. Miller deal. He believes the Penguins would want “controllable young talent, preferably in the NHL or close” in return.

The Carolina Hurricanes won’t wait until the last minute to sign Mikko Rantanen as they did last year with their failed effort to re-sign Jake Guentzel. They’re eager to get it done but Friedman wonders what happens if there is no contract in place for Rantanen by the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’ll retain Rantanen and keep working on a deal. They’re all-in for the Stanley Cup this season, even at the risk of losing him to free agency on July 1.

The Dallas Stars aren’t done adding to their roster. Depending on how they handle Miro Heiskanen’s knee injury (and they aren’t rushing him back for the regular season), they still have around $5 million in LTIR space. They could add another right-shot defenseman.

Friedman believes the Tampa Bay Lightning would be interested in Alex Tuch if the Sabres make him available. “They wouldn’t be the only ones”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch has a five-team no-trade list. There’s no indication the Sabres are attempting to move him or that he’s asked to be traded.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell would be a perfect fit for the Winnipeg Jets. However, Friedman doesn’t believe he’s available.

Teams seeking defensemen should monitor the Utah Hockey Club. They’ll soon have extra.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 6, 2025

by | Feb 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 6, 2025

Recaps of Wednesday’s games, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby injured, the Canucks re-sign Marcus Pettersson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: A shorthanded third-period goal by Chris Kreider lifted the New York Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Mika Zibanejad collected two assists for the Rangers (56 points) as they picked up their second straight win to move within four points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Bruins winger David Pastrnak scored to collect 25 points over the past 12 games. However, his club remains just outside the Eastern wild card with 60 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins held a 2-1 lead going into the third period but Vincent Trocheck tied it early in the frame, setting the stage for Kreider’s game-winner. Pastrnak’s doing the heavy lifting for the Bruins’ anemic offense. They’re sitting 25th overall with a 2.75 goals-per-game average.

Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman scored in overtime to nip the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3. Leon Draisaitl and Jeff Skinner each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who hold first place in the Pacific Division with 72 points. Ryan Donato and Teuvo Teravainen each had two points for the Blackhawks.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl is making a strong case for the Hart Memorial Trophy. He continues to lead all goal scorers (38) and has surged ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon for the points lead with 81. Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson left this game in the second period with an injured left leg. Head coach Anders Sorensen said Dickinson will be reevaluated on Thursday, adding “It doesn’t look good.”

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-3. Kevin Fiala tallied twice and Quinton Byfield collected three assists as the Kings sit third in the Pacific Division with 62 points. Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier and Logan Mailloux replied for the Canadiens, who’ve dropped six of the last seven contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens (55 points) remain five points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot with two games remaining before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

HEADLINES

TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is being evaluated for an upper-body injury suffered during Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Crosby appeared to injure his left arm after colliding with Devils forward Erik Haula and defenseman Luke Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby missed practice yesterday, raising concerns about whether he can participate in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s the captain of Team Canada in that tournament.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed Marcus Pettersson to a six-year contract extension on Wednesday. Acquired on Saturday from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 28-year-old defenseman’s new deal is worth an average annual value of $5.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks president Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin knew Pettersson from their days with the Penguins, signing him to his current contract in 2020. They consider the lanky blueliner “a calming presence” on the Canucks blueline.

Pettersson receives a raise of about $1.5 million annually over the $4.083 million on his present deal. He might have received much more had he gone to market on July 1, especially with the salary cap jumping from $88 million to $95.5 million, but he opted for term security. Pettersson also gets a full no-movement clause in the first three years of the deal.

DAILY FACEOFF: Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane set an NHL record during Tuesday’s 5-4 win over the Seattle Kraken. He scored his 53rd career shootout goal to become the league leader in that category, surpassing former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Jonathan Toews.

TSN: According to Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, center Dylan Cozens missed practice on Wednesday with a “lower-body aggravation”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no indication of how long Cozens will be sidelined, but Ruff didn’t indicate that it was serious. The young center has been the frequent topic of trade rumors this season. You can read the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

The National Hockey League Players’ Association is appealing Ryan Hartman’s 10-game suspension. The Minnesota Wild center received that punishment from the NHL’s department of player safety for driving Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle’s head into the ice following a faceoff.

The Wild also claimed forward Vinnie Hinostroza off waivers from the Nashville Predators.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2025

by | Feb 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2025

The Flames are reportedly interested in Sabres center Dylan Cozens plus the latest on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLAMES INTERESTED IN COZENS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames remain willing to add to their roster after acquiring Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee last week from the Philadelphia Flyers.

LeBrun said Calgary is interested in Dylan Cozens but they’re not the only ones, adding that two-thirds of the league have checked with the Buffalo Sabres about the 23-year-old center. The Flames are in the market for a right-shot center.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).

It would have to be a hockey trade to pry Cozens away from the Sabres. They’re not interested in futures. Meanwhile, the Flames aren’t interested in trading for a rental player. Cozens is signed through 2029-30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are also likely concerned about Cozens following in the skates of other notable players like Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel, and Sam Reinhart. Those three became bigger stars and Stanley Cup champions after leaving Buffalo.

That’s why they’d want a player-for-player swap like the deal they did last year when they shipped Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram. That move worked out well for the Sabres.

THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Vancouver Canucks’ priority is finding help at center after trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers last Friday.

LeBrun acknowledged the Canucks got Filip Chytil in the Miller trade but they’d like to add more depth there. They’re taking the long view and are thinking beyond the March 7 trade deadline to make that acquisition.

The Canucks are among the teams interested in Sabres center Dylan Cozens. They had discussions with the Sabres but that had more to do with Elias Pettersson, who is off the trade market for now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been speculated the Canucks could shop Pettersson before his no-movement clause kicks in on July 1 if he continues to struggle this season. However, his expensive contract ($11.6 million annually through 2031-32) could be tough to move under those circumstances even with the salary cap projected to increase significantly over the next three years.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Canucks have made Carson Soucy available in the trade market. The 30-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch against Detroit on Sunday.

Soucy had a full no-trade clause this year on his three-year, $9.75 million contract. However, Friedman doesn’t believe the Canucks will have difficulty finding him a new home.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 5, 2025

by | Feb 5, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 5, 2025

Alex Ovechkin moves closer to Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, the Jets remain in sole possession of first overall, William Nylander’s hat trick lifts the Leafs to victory, and more from a busy Tuesday evening in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin moved closer to Wayne Gretzky’s goal record with an empty-net goal in the final second of the third period in a 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers. Logan Thompson made 30 saves and Nick Dowd had a goal and two assists for the Capitals, who lead the Eastern Conference with 77 points. Sam Bennett had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who sit atop the Atlantic Division with 67 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin has 878 regular-season goals, moving within 17 of breaking Gretzky’s record of 894. The Capitals extended their home points streak to 14 games. Meanwhile, Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk looks forward to a potential playoff matchup against the Ottawa Senators and his younger brother Brady.

The Winnipeg Jets picked up their seventh straight win by blanking the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Eric Comrie turned in a 29-save shutout while Nino Niederreiter had a goal and an assist for the Jets, who lead the overall standings with 79 points. The Hurricanes have dropped their second straight game and sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 68 points.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander’s hat trick carried his club to a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. Leafs captain Auston Matthews collected three assists as the Leafs moved within one point of the Panthers in the Atlantic Division. Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri and MacKenzie Weegar each collected two assists for the Flames, who lost four of their last six contests and cling to the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 59 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs winger Mitch Marner missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Leon Draisaitl scored his league-leading 37th goal and Connor Brown tallied the winner in overtime for the Oilers, who sit atop the Pacific Division with 70 points. Jordan Kyrou and Colton Parayko replied for the Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl has 79 points, one back of league leader Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. Blues defenseman Nick Leddy returned to action after missing 49 games with a lower-body injury.

A shootout goal by Patrick Kane lifted the Detroit Red Wings over the Seattle Kraken 5-4 to extend their win streak to seven games. Lucas Raymond scored his 21st goal of the season as the Wings hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 61 points. Shane Wright tallied twice for the Kraken.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko stopped 25 shots to shut out the Colorado Avalanche 3-0. Jake DeBrusk, Brock Boeser and Drew O’Connor scored for the Canucks, who sit just behind the Flames for that final Western wild card with 59 points. Avalanche netminder Mackenzie Blackwood turned aside 28 shots as his club holds the first Western wild-card berth with 64 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks got the win without captain Quinn Hughes. He missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury suspected to be in his abdominal area.

The Tampa Bay Lightning held off the Ottawa Senators 4-3, snapping the latter’s five-game win streak. Third-period goals by Brandon Hagel and Ryan McDonagh secured the win for the Lightning as they’re clinging to the final Eastern wild card with 60 points. Linus Ullmark made 34 saves in his return to action as the Senators hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 62 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Ullmark’s first game since being sidelined by a back injury on Dec. 22. His teammate Shane Pinto left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury while Lightning forward Nick Paul departed in the same period with an undisclosed injury.

Boston Bruins goalies Jeremy Swayman kicked out 35 shots in a 3-0 shutout of the Minnesota Wild. Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie tallied for the Bruins, who sit just behind the Lightning with 60 points. Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 32 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild activated defenseman Jonas Brodin from long-term injury reserve and forward Marcus Johansson from injured reserve for this game.

The New Jersey Devils got two goals from Jack Hughes to nip the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in a shootout. Timo Meier scored the game-winner and Jesper Bratt collected two assists as the Devils (66 points) sit two points behind the Hurricanes in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Rickard Rakell and Kevin Hayes scored for the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler left this game with an injured right leg in the first period. Following the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe said Siegenthaler is expected to miss some time.

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson broke a 1-1 tie in the third period as his club defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1, handing the latter their fourth straight loss. Bo Horvat also scored and Ilya Sorokin made 34 saves for the Islanders, who sit three points behind the Lightning with 57 points. Brandon Saad scored his first goal for the Golden Knights since joining them as a free agent last week. They sit second in the Pacific Division with 68 points.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson stopped 26 shots in a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Cutter Gauthier and Trevor Zegras scored for the Ducks, who’ve won five of their last six contests. Colin Blackwell replied for the Stars, who sit second in the Central Division with 69 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson became the first goaltender to play 500 regular-season games for the Ducks. Before this game, the Stars announced that defenseman Miro Heiskanen underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and is listed as month-to-month. They also played without forward Mavrik Bourque as he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The Buffalo Sabres picked up their fourth straight win by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. Alex Tuch netted two goals and an assist and Jason Zucker had two assists for the Sabres. Kent Johnson and Ivan Provorov scored for the Blue Jackets as they slipped out of a wild-card spot in the East with 59 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The injury-wracked Blue Jackets played without defenseman and scoring leader Zach Werenski, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, the Sabres were without center Tage Thompson, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

A shorthanded goal by Joel Armia with 4:04 remaining in the third period gave the Montreal Canadiens a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Sam Montembeault made 27 saves while Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook each had two points for the Canadiens (55 points) as they’re five points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. Sharks forwards Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli had a goal and an assist.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov set the KHL single-season scoring record for an under-20 player with 43 points. Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov held the former record of 42 points.

The Utah Hockey Club defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2. Dylan Guenther scored with one second remaining in overtime to finish with two goals and an assist. Mikhail Sergachev had a goal and two assists for Utah to end their five-game losing skid. Samuel Ersson made 39 saves for the Flyers, who’ve lost four straight.

IN OTHER NEWS…

DAILY FACEOFF: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson is day-to-day with an injured finger.

The Nashville Predators placed forward Vinnie Hinostroza on waivers.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers forward Adam Edstrom will miss the next six to 10 weeks with a lower-body injury.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 4, 2025

by | Feb 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 4, 2025

Will trades be allowed during the 4 Nations Face-Off? What’s the latest on the Stars, Panthers, Flyers, Penguins, Blue Jackets and Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NO ROSTER RESTRICTIONS DURING 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports there won’t be a roster freeze on the NHL’s 32 teams during the upcoming break (Feb. 10-21) for the league’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Technically, that means the teams can still make trades. However, Johnston spoke with “multiple team executives” who expect any deals discussed during that period won’t occur until after the tournament.

This is the first international tournament involving active NHL players in eight years. No one wants to take the spotlight away from that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade activity heated up recently with several trades involving notable stars like Mikko Rantanen and J.T. Miller. Similar moves could be made leading up to the 4 Nations break. Johnston believes there could be a flurry of moves in the two weeks between the end of the tournament and the March 7 trade deadline.

THE LATEST ON THE STARS, PANTHERS, FLYERS AND PENGUINS

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman speculated the Dallas Stars could look to add to their defense corps. It’ll depend on how long it takes top defenseman Miro Heiskanen to recover from his knee injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars made a significant move over the weekend, acquiring center Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks.

Friedman also reported that teams are wary of the Florida Panthers. They don’t have much salary-cap room or trade capital but they could find a way to add a right-shot defenseman.

Turning to the Flyers, Friedman thinks they’re clearing cap room to go “big-game hunting” in the offseason after shipping out forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to Calgary last week. He suggested the significant rise in next season’s salary cap could have the Flyers angling for an offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The St. Louis Blues’ bold signings of Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers last summer could motivate teams with a lot of cap room to target restricted free agents on cap-strapped clubs.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic believes the Pittsburgh Penguins might not be finished making moves after shipping Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

Yohe listed Anthony Beauvillier, Kevin Hayes, Blake Lizotte and Noel Acciari as depth forwards they could be willing to move by March 7.

There could also be interest in winger Rickard Rakell. However, Yohe writes the Penguins aren’t eager to move him.

UPDATES ON THE BLUE JACKETS AND CANADIENS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline recently noted the Columbus Blue Jackets were linked to Elias Pettersson before the Vancouver Canucks traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on Friday. However, they were never seriously involved in trade discussions for the 26-year-old Pettersson, who is likely staying put now that Miller has been traded. They don’t want to impede young centers like Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Spencer Lazary speculates the Blue Jackets might hit the trade market for someone to replace Kirill Marchenko. The 24-year-old winger is sidelined indefinitely with a broken jaw.

Lazary suggested Scott Laughton of the Flyers and Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks as trade targets. He also acknowledged they might have to look within their organization for help.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing Marchenko was a big blow to the Blue Jackets’ offense. He won’t be easy to replace.

The Flyers are reluctant to move Laughton, but if they peddle him, the Jackets will be bidding with several contenders for his services.

Strome is third among Ducks scorers with 30 points and has two years remaining on his contract. They’re rebuilding but they don’t seem in a rush to trade him.

TVA SPORTS: The Montreal Canadiens’ five-game losing skid (0-4-1) prompted Jean-Charlies Lajoie to call for management to become sellers in the trade market. He believes their playoff hopes are dashed and should start shopping pending UFAs like Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and David Savard for the best possible returns.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens GM Kent Hughes will likely evaluate his club’s performance leading up to the 4 Nations break. If the Habs haven’t pulled out of their current tailspin by then, Lajoie could get his wish following the tournament.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2025

by | Feb 4, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2025

The Senators pick up their fifth straight win, the three stars of the week, Wild center Ryan Hartman suspended, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Ottawa Senators collected their fifth straight win by downing the Nashville Predators 5-2. Three unanswered third-period goals by Shane Pinto, David Perron and Ridly Greig carried the Senators (62 points) to victory, opening a three-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings for third in the Atlantic Division. Predators goalie Juuse Saros stopped 34 shots while teammate Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist.

Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators captain Roman Josi set the franchise record for games played with 957. Senators center Tim Stutzle became the youngest player in franchise history to reach the 300-point milestone (23 years, 19 days) and the third fastest to do so (338 games played), sitting behind Jason Spezza (277 games) and Alexei Yashin (332).

Senators forward Josh Norris missed this game as he’s sidelined for several weeks with a mid-body injury. Predators forward Luke Evangelista didn’t play as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson are the league’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 2, 2025.

Minnesota Wild center Ryan Hartman received a 10-game suspension from the department of player safety for roughing Senators center Tim Stutzle on Saturday, driving Stutzle’s head into the ice following a faceoff draw.

DAILY FACEOFF: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury and defenseman Scott Mayfield is day-to-day (lower body).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barzal and Mayfield join injured teammates Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, Semyon Varlamov, Mike Reilly, and Marcus Hogberg. Those lengthy absences threaten to derail the Islanders’ efforts to secure a playoff spot.

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko is sidelined indefinitely with a broken jaw.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets are already missing Sean Monahan, Yegor Chinakhov, Erik Gudbranson and captain Boone Jenner, though the latter is expected to return to the lineup later this month. Marchenko’s absence is a significant blow. The 24-year-old winger is the Jackets’ leading goal scorer (21) and is second in points with 55.

CBS SPORTS: Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichuskin (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The White House honored the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers in a ceremony yesterday.

THE TENNESSEAN: Former Nashville Predators forward Martin Erat was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident in Nolensville, Tennessee on Saturday. No injuries were reported during the incident.