Fewer than five weeks remain before the NHL trade deadline.
So far, there have been 21 trades (including January blockbusters involving Mikko Rantanen and J.T. Miller). There will be more trades as teams build toward a Stanley Cup run or make moves for their long-term future. The trade deadline is March 7.
There also have been four coaching changes this season, plus extensions signed by Igor Shesterkin, Jake Oettinger, Logan Thompson, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark and others this season. Other top players also remain eligible for extensions, including Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Brock Boeser and Rantanen.
Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:
Feb. 3: Blue Jackets’ Kirill Marchenko has broken jaw
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Monday that Kirill Marchenko, the Jackets’ leader in goals (21), had surgery for a broken jaw and was placed on the injured list. He was struck by a puck while seated on the bench late in the second period of Sunday’s game and didn’t return to the game.
The Jackets also lost defenseman Dante Fabbro to an upper-body injury believed to be a concussion during the first period of Sunday’s game, while his partner on the top defense pairing, Zach Werenski, missed time in the second before returning for the third. – Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch
Feb. 1: Stars acquire Mikael Granlund, Cody Ceci from Sharks
The Dallas Stars give up a 2025 first-round pick and a conditional third-round pick for forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci. Dallas was short on both positions because forwards Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment are injured, as are defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Nils Lundqvist.
Granlund led the Sharks with 45 points in 52 games and will add to a solid forward group, especially with Marchment getting closer to returning. Ceci led San Jose in ice time and blocked shots. Both newcomers are pending unrestricted free agents. The conditional third-round pick will be a fourth-rounder if the Stars don’t reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Jan. 31: Rangers acquire J.T. Miller in deal with Canucks
The New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks, two teams in the midst of disappointing seasons, swung a big trade Friday night they hope will shake things up for the better.
Vancouver shipped center J.T. Miller along with Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington to the Rangers in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 draft, the teams announced. The pick is top-13 protected, according to multiple reports.
The Canucks weren’t done dealing Friday, either, flipping that first-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a separate deal, along with Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais and Melvin Fernstrom. They got back Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor. – Jace Evans
ANALYSIS: Who won the trade?
Jan. 31: Flyers, Flames swap forwards in four-player trade
Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost went to Calgary and Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2028 seventh-rounder went to Philadelphia. The deal was announced early Friday morning following the two teams’ games.
Farabee, a two-time 20-goal scorer, and Frost, who has hit double digits three times, can give the Flames scoring depth as the team tries to hold on to a playoff spot. Farabee is signed through 2027-28 and Frost is a pending restricted free agent.
Kuzmenko, a pending unrestricted free agent, wasn’t going to be re-signed in Calgary after the former 39-goal scorer (with Vancouver) had four goals this season. But it gives the Flyers a chance to see how he fares with Russian rookie Matvei Michkov, a fellow former Kontinental Hockey League player. Pelletier can fit in the Flyers’ bottom six forward group and kills penalties. He’ll be a restricted free agent.
Jan. 31: Golden Knights sign Brandon Saad for rest of the season
The Vegas Golden Knights signed forward Brandon Saad (pro-rated $1.5 million) for the rest of the season after he was cut loose by the St. Louis Blues. The Blues had waived the two-time Stanley Cup winner, but the sides agreed to terminate the rest of his contract so he could become a free agent. Saad’s numbers (seven goals) have dropped off this season, but he scored 26 last season.
Also: The New York Islanders claimed defenseman Adam Boqvist off waivers from the Florida Panthers and sent rookie Isaiah George to the American Hockey League. The Islanders recently added defensemen Tony DeAngelo and Scott Perunovich after injuries to Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock. … Logan Cooley, the Utah Hockey Club’s No. 2 scorer, is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. He’ll be re-evaluated after the 4 Nations Face-Off. … Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde, who has been mentioned as a trade candidate, will be out five to seven weeks after sports hernia surgery.
Jan. 29: Kraken waive goalie Philipp Grubauer
The Seattle Kraken placed former No. 1 goalie Philipp Grubauer on waivers and plan to send him to the American Hockey League if he clears. Grubauer, who was the team’s top goalie early in the franchise’s history, has been supplanted by Joey Daccord. Grubauer has lost six in a row for the second time this season and has a 3.83 goals-against average and .866 save percentage in 21 appearances. He’s signed through 2026-27 at a $5.9 million cap hit.
Jan. 29: Kings’ Drew Doughty to make season debut
The Los Angeles Kings get a key player back with defenseman Drew Doughty scheduled to make his season debut Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers. The 2016 Norris Trophy winner, who broke his ankle in the preseason, has had at least 50 points the past two seasons and Brandt Clarke is the only Kings defenseman close to that pace this season. Los Angeles’ power play has also dropped from 12th last season to 29th this season. Doughty’s return also puts him in the mix for a spot on Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off after the withdrawal of Alex Pietrangelo. Doughty won gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup.
Also: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson will replace injured New Jersey Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom for Team Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off. … Devils coach Sheldon Keefe announced that captain Nico Hischier is week-to-week with an unspecified injury.
Jan. 28: Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov needs surgery for lower-body injury
Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov will have surgery for the lower-body injury that had kept him out of the lineup for 12 games after Christmas. General manager Bill Guerin said the surgery isn’t season-ending, but will keep him out the lineup for a minimum of four weeks. Kaprizov had 50 points in 34 games before the injury and two assists in three games after he returned but was ‘very uncomfortable,’ coach John Hynes said. The Wild went 7-5 without Kaprizov and are third in the Central Division.
‘It’s not the end of the world,’ Guerin said. ‘We’re going to keep playing and continue to get better. When Kirill’s healthy and all healed up, he’ll be back and we’ll be even better.’
Also: The St. Louis Blues placed forward Brandon Saad on waivers and will send him to the American Hockey League if he clears. Saad, 32, who had 26 goals last season, has seven in 43 games. He’s signed through next season at a $4.5 million cap hit.
Jan. 27: Capitals’ Logan Thompson gets six-year extension
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson will average $5.85 million in the extension, up from his current $766,667 cap hit. Thompson has been one of the top stories and goaltenders this season. Acquired in the offseason, he has put together a 22-2-3 record, 2.09 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. He ranks second in the league in MoneyPuck’s goals saved above expected. Thompson, 27, mostly has split time with Charlie Lindgren (11-9-2), who’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and the pairing has helped lift the Capitals to the top record in the league. ‘With his size (6-4) and exceptional athleticism, we are confident that this signing will enhance one of the most critical positions on our team, especially as he enters the prime years of his career,’ Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement.
Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Scott Perunovich from Blues
The New York Islanders give up a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick for Scott Perunovich to address another injury on their blue line. The trade was announced after Ryan Pulock (upper body) was placed on the injured list. Perunovich had six points in 24 games with the St. Louis Blues this season. Last week, the Islanders signed free agent defenseman Tony DeAngelo for the remainder of the season because Noah Dobson is out with a lower-body injury.
Jan. 26: Rangers sign Will Borgen to five-year extension
New York Rangers defenseman Will Borgen, who was acquired in the Kaapo Kakko trade, will average $4.1 million in the deal, according to ESPN. Borgen has three points, 29 hits and 29 blocked shots since arriving in New York.
Also: The Vegas Golden Knights announced that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was withdrawing from the 4 Nations Face-Off to ‘tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season with Vegas.’ Team Canada will need to announce a replacement before the Feb. 12-20 tournament.
Jan. 24: Mikko Rantanen traded in blockbuster deal
The Colorado Avalanche no longer have to worry whether they can fit pending free agent Mikko Rantanen in their salary structure. The two-time 100-point scorer was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder. The Hurricanes also get Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks, who retained 50% of Rantanen’s salary.
The Avalanche pay MVP Nathan MacKinnon $12.6 million a year, and that was likely their top limit for Rantanen. Though Colorado loses a prolific scorer, Necas is the Hurricanes’ top scorer and is signed through next season. Drury is also signed through 2025-26 and will be a restricted free agent.
Last year, the Hurricanes were also aggressive before the deadline, but they lost in the second round and weren’t able to re-sign Jake Guentzel.
TRADE GRADES: Who won blockbuster deal?
Jan. 24: Devils’ Jacob Markstrom out with knee sprain
Jan. 17: Oilers sign John Klingberg for one year
The Edmonton Oilers added defensive depth by signing veteran John Klingberg for the remainder of the season. Terms weren’t disclosed.
Klingberg, 32, who had season-ending hip surgery in November 2023, is known for his puck-moving ability and work on the power play. He has 412 points in 633 games, plus 39 points in 63 playoff games.
The 2024 Stanley Cup finalists traded Cody Ceci and chose not to match an offer sheet to Philip Broberg during the offseason.
Jan. 15: Penguins place goalie Tristan Jarry on waivers
The Pittsburgh Penguins placed goalie Tristan Jarry on waivers after Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken in which he gave up three goals on 17 shots. A Kraken short-handed goal leaked through him in the first period, and Seattle scored twice in 50 seconds in the third period to overcome a 2-1 deficit.
The veteran two-time All-Star was sent to the American Hockey League in late October and recalled on Nov. 9. Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. He has a 3.32 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.
‘He’s continued to come in here, put the work in and that’s not been a question at all,’ general manager Kyle Dubas said. ‘That just hasn’t materialized the way we would like it to on the ice. At this level, you get to the point where you have to do what’s right … for him and for us.’
Jan. 14: Canadiens’ Emil Heineman out after accident
Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman will be out three to four weeks after being hit while crossing a street in Utah. The team said the accident occurred Monday and Heineman suffered an upper-body injury. ‘He got hurt crossing a street yesterday,’ coach Martin St. Louis told reporters on Tuesday. ‘I don’t think it was at a high speed but enough to cause some damage. It’s unfortunate.’ The Canadiens are in Salt Lake City to play the Utah Hockey Club. Heineman, 23, has 17 points in 41 games this season. He ranks third among NHL rookies with 10 goals.
Jan. 10: Oilers’ Evander Kane has knee surgery
Evander Kane will need more time before he makes his season debut after he had knee surgery on Thursday. The Edmonton Oilers said Kane would need four to eight weeks of recovery time, which will pause his rehab from the abdominal surgery he had in September. Kane, 33, had 24 goals last season plus eight points in the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. He was unable to play the final five games of that round because he had been slowed in the playoffs by a sports hernia. He has another year left on his contract at a $5.125 million cap hit.
Also: The Ottawa Senators signed forward Ridly Greig to a four-year, $13 million contract extension.
Jan. 6: Rangers claim Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from Kings
Arthur Kaliyev, 23, had two seasons of double-digit goals, though he dropped to seven goals last season. He has yet to play in the NHL this season because of injury but completed a five-game conditioning stint. The former second-round pick averages about 12 minutes a game. He’ll likely fill a bottom-six role after the Rangers’ earlier trade of Kaapo Kakko.
Jan. 5: Ducks re-sign Frank Vatrano for three years
The Anaheim Ducks are often sellers leading up to the trade deadline, but they lock in their third-leading scorer, Frank Vatrano, for three years. He would have drawn a lot of interest if the Ducks had made him available. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the deal is worth $18 million but deferred money lowers the salary cap hit to $4.57 million. He scored 37 goals last season and has 20 points this season. He had a three-point night after the signing was announced.
Jan. 3: Bruins re-sign Mark Kastelic
The rugged forward’s deal averages $1.567 million a year. He was tied for the team lead with 76 penalty minutes and had 151 hits.
Dec. 28: Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche make trade
The Nashville Predators called up forward Vinnie Hinostroza, the American Hockey League’s leading scorer, then traded forward Juuso Parssinen to the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche also get a 2026 seventh-round pick and the Predators get back forward Ondrej Pavel and a 2027 third-round pick.
Hinostroza, a 374-game NHL veteran, signed a two-year deal with the Predators in the offseason but had spent the entire season in the AHL. So has Pavel. Parssinen had five points in 15 games with Nashville this season. The Predators and Avalanche swapped backup goaltenders earlier in the season.
Dec. 27: Avalanche give extension to Mackenzie Blackwood
The Colorado Avalanche gave goalie Mackenzie Blackwood a five-year extension 18 days after acquiring him in a trade. Terms weren’t disclosed, but reports said it was worth $5.25 million a year, up from the current cap hit of $2.35 million in his contract that expires this summer.
The Avalanche goaltending struggled at the beginning of the season, and Colorado traded Justus Annunen to the Nashville Predators for Scott Wedgewood on Nov. 30. The Avalanche shipped out Alexandar Georgiev to the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 9 for Blackwood.
Blackwood has gone 3-1 with a 2.03 goals-against average and .931 save percentage since arriving.
Dec. 26: Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, hire Todd McLellan
The Detroit Red Wings fired coach Derek Lalonde on Thursday after two-plus seasons and brought in veteran Todd McLellan to try to turn around the season.
McLellan, 57, who won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings as an assistant coach in 2008, was signed to a multi-year contract as the franchise’s 29th head coach. He has a 598-412-134 regular-season record over 16 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, making the playoffs nine times. He was with the Red Wings from 2005-08 and left after the championship season to join the Sharks.
Associate coach Bob Boughner also was fired, and Trent Yawney was hired as an assistant coach. The Red Wings had lost nine of their last 12 games to follow to seventh place in the Atlantic Division
Dec. 19: Bruins waive forward Tyler Johnson
The Boston Bruins placed forward Tyler Johnson on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating the one-year contract he signed in November. That would make him free to pursue opportunities with other teams. Johnson had two points in nine games this season and the move follows the Bruins claiming Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers.
Dec. 18: Rangers trade Kaapo Kakko to Kraken
The New York Rangers get back defenseman Will Borgen and 2025 third- and sixth-round picks in exchange for Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 overall pick of 2019. The trade happened less than a day after Kakko complained about being a healthy scratch. ‘It’s just easy to take the young guy and put him out,’ he said Tuesday. ‘That’s how I feel.’
Kakko, 23, has never matched the expectation of being that high a pick, getting 40 points in his top season in 2022-23. He has 14 points this season and was named by Finland to the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The trade is the second recent shake-up move by the sliding Rangers, who dealt captain Jacob Trouba, a defenseman, to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. Borgen, who was taken by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, had 20 or more points and averaged nearly 200 hits the past two seasons but has just two points and a minus-13 rating this season.
In other trades Wednesday:
The Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators swapped defensemen with Alexandre Carrier, 28, heading to Montreal in exchange for Justin Barron, 23. Carrier gives the Canadiens an experienced right-shot defenseman. He signed a three-year deal this offseason and the Predators save $2.6 million in cap space with the trade.
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman P.O. Joseph from the St. Louis Blues for future considerations. Joseph will help the Penguins with defenseman Marcus Pettersson out with an injury. Joseph played his first four NHL seasons with Pittsburgh.
Dec. 18: Justin Schultz retires after 12 NHL seasons
Defenseman Justin Schultz, 34, who won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced his retirement after 12 seasons with four NHL teams. Originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, he couldn’t reach terms with that team and joined the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent in 2012, making the all-rookie team. Schultz was traded to the Penguins in 2016 and won championships that season and the following season. He played two seasons each with the Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, finishing his NHL career with 71 goals and 324 points in 745 games. Schultz signed to play in Switzerland this season but stepped down after eight games.
Dec. 14: Blues acquire Ducks’ Cam Fowler in trade
The St. Louis Blues give up minor league defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka and a 2027 second-round pick to land defenseman Cam Fowler, 33, who spent his entire NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks. St. Louis also gets a 2027 fourth-round pick and the Ducks retain about 38.5% of Fowler’s remaining salary.
The Blues, who will be without Torey Krug (ankle) this season, get a veteran defenseman who averages more than 21 minutes a game in ice time. Fowler was moved eight days after the Ducks acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba in a trade.
“This was a difficult trade to make considering what Cam has meant to this organization,” general manager Pat Verbeek said. “He has been a valuable and respected member of our team for 15 seasons, representing the Ducks with ultimate class. … After meeting with Cam several times over the last few months, it became clear to both of us it may be time for a change.”
Also: The Boston Bruins claimed forward Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the New York Islanders. The Maine native had played for Boston College in 2018-19.
Dec. 13: Islanders waive Oliver Wahlstrom, Pierre Engvall
The New York Islanders have placed forwards Oliver Wahlstrom and Pierre Engvall on waivers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. The move happened after injured forwards Mat Barzal and Anthony Duclair returned to practice. Engvall, who signed a seven-year contract in 2023, passed through waivers earlier this season and played six games in the American Hockey League. He has six points in 20 games. Wahlstrom, a 2018 first-round pick, has four points in 27 games.
Also: The Minnesota Wild claimed defenseman Travis Dermott off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. The Wild placed defenseman Jake Middleton on long-term injured reserve after he was hit in the hand by a shot on Thursday night. … The Vegas Golden Knights signed forward Keegan Kolesar to a three-year, $7.5 million contract extension.
Dec. 12: Canucks’ J.T. Miller returns from personal leave
Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller said he was returning from his personal leave and played Thursday night against the Florida Panthers. The Canucks announced his leave of absence on Nov. 19. The team went 5-3-2 while he was away.
Miller, who has 16 points in 17 games this season and topped 100 last season, said he wouldn’t answer questions about why he was away from the team.
‘I’m excited to play,’ he said. ‘I want to play and obviously a fun game against the defending champions. Just happy to be around the guys and looking forward to tonight.’
Miller skated a little more than 14 minutes, had two assists and won 60% of his faceoffs.
While he was away, he was named to Team USA for February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
Also: Anaheim Ducks forward Travis Zegras had surgery for torn meniscus in his right knee and is expected to miss six weeks. … The Utah Hockey Club claimed defenseman Dakota Mermis off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Dec. 10: Kevin Shattenkirk announces retirement
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk announced his retirement on Tuesday after 14 NHL seasons with seven teams. He won a Stanley Cup in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Drafted 14th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2007, he also played for the St. Louis Blues (five 40-point seasons), Washington Capitals, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks before joining the Boston Bruins in 2023-24 for what would be his final season.
Shattenkirk, 35, finishes with 103 goals, 381 assists and 484 points in 952 career games, plus 48 points in 91 playoff games. He scored in overtime during Game 4 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
Dec. 9: Avalanche land Mackenzie Blackwood in goalie trade with Sharks
The Colorado Avalanche’s season-opening goaltending tandem of Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen is out after a subpar start. Now they’re running with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood after separate trades with the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, respectively.
The Blackwood trade is the latest one and includes forward Givani Smith and a draft pick going to Colorado, while forward Nikolai Kovalenko and two picks go to San Jose. Blackwood has a .904 save percentage to Georgiev’s .874, and he made 49 saves in his last game. Georgiev was pulled in his second-to-last start.
GOALIE SWAP: Full details of Avalanche-Sharks trade
Dec. 6: Rangers trade Jacob Trouba, extend Igor Shesterkin
The sliding New York Rangers dominated the news Friday by trading captain Jacob Trouba and giving Igor Shesterkin an eight-year extension that makes him the highest-paid NHL goalie.
The Rangers officially announced the extension on Saturday.
The Trouba trade happened first Friday with the Rangers getting back defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick. But the biggest part is the Anaheim Ducks took on Trouba’s $8 million cap hit, giving the Rangers flexibility. Trouba, who has struggled this season and didn’t waive his no-trade clause this summer, adds a veteran presence to the young Ducks. He and new teammate Radko Gudas are two of the hardest hitters in the league.
Shesterkin will average $11.5 million in his new deal, according to reports, moving him past Carey Price ($10.5 million) as the top-paid goaltender. The Rangers rely heavily on Shesterkin, who faces a lot of high-danger shots.
Also: The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens pulled off a minor trade. Forward Jacob Perreault, son of former NHL player Yanic Perreault, heads to Edmonton for defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer. … The Carolina Hurricanes placed forward Brendan Lemieux on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract. He requested the move so he can pursue another opportunity, general manager Eric Tulsky told the team’s website.
Dec. 5: Blackhawks fire coach Luke Richardson
The last-place Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Luke Richardson. Anders Sorensen, coach of the Blackhawks’ Rockford IceHogs team in the American Hockey League, was named interim head coach.
The move happened with generational player Connor Bedard going through a sophomore slump and unhappy with his production. He recently ended a 12-game goal drought and didn’t make the Canadian roster for this season’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
‘As we have begun to take steps forward in our rebuilding process, we felt that the results did not match our expectations for a higher level of execution this season and ultimately came to the decision that a change was necessary,’ general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement about the coaching move.
Richardson leaves Chicago with a 57-118-15 record.
Dec. 4: Stars’ Tyler Seguin to have hip surgery, miss 4-6 months
The Dallas Stars announced that forward Tyler Seguin will have surgery on his left hip on Thursday and is expected to miss four to six months. That timeline would have him out of the lineup until near the end of the regular season or into the playoffs. Seguin, 32, had been having a strong season, ranking third on the team with 20 points in 19 games.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF: Rosters announced
Nov. 30: Wild acquire defenseman David Jiricek from Blue Jackets
The Minnesota Wild acquired former first-round pick David Jiricek, 21, from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a package that includes 22-year-old defenseman Daemon Hunt and a package of draft picks including a top-five protected 2025 first-round pick. Jiricek, a 2022 sixth-overall pick who had been sent to American Hockey League, will report to the Wild’s AHL team. The other picks heading to Columbus: 2026 third- and fourth-rounders and a 2027 second-rounder. The Wild get a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Nov. 30: Predators, Avalanche swap goaltenders
The Colorado Avalanche acquired backup goalie Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators for backup goalie Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick. The Avalanche, who have the league’s third-worst team goals-against average, were expected to make some sort of goaltending move but not necessarily this one. Annunen, 24, has slightly better stats this season, but he’s a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Wedgewood, 32, who was signed in the offseason and played five games for the Predators, has another year left on his contract.
Also: The NHL fined Boston’s Nikita Zadorov and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin $5,000 each for an exchange in Friday’s game. Zadorov poked Malkin with his stick from the bench, and the Penguins star responded with a slash toward the bench, hitting Mason Lohrei.
Nov. 25: Penguins acquire Philip Tomasino from Predators
Philip Tomasino (one point in 11 games) is the final year of his contract so the struggling Nashville Predators get something in return, a 2027 fourth-round pick. The equally struggling Pittsburgh Penguins get another person for their bottom six. The former first-round pick’s best season was 32 points as a rookie in 2021-22.
Nov. 24: Blues fire coach Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery
In a surprising move, the St. Louis Blues on Sunday fired Drew Bannister after less than a year as coach, replacing him with former Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery.
The announcement from Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong comes with the team losing 13 of its first 22 games this year. Bannister had taken over for Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube last season and had his interim tag removed at the end of the season.
Montgomery, a former assistant to Berube, has an overall regular-season record of 180-84-33 as a head coach with Boston and Dallas. He was just let go by the Bruins last week after they lost 12 of their first 20 games. – Steve Gardner
Nov. 22: Golden Knights sign Brett Howden to five-year extension
Forward Brett Howden will average $2.5 million in the five-year contract extension. He plays in the Vegas Golden Knights’ bottom six and has eight goals this season.
After the Golden Knights lost free agents Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup title team this summer, they’ve been working to get extensions done early. Defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb signed recently. Goalie Adin Hill and Keegan Kolesar also are pending unrestricted free agents from that championship team.
Nov. 19: Canucks’ J.T. Miller out indefinitely for personal reasons
‘Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him,’ general manager Patrik Allvin said. ‘Out of respect to J.T., we will have no further comment at this time.’
Miller ranks second on the Canucks and is their top-scoring forward with 16 points in 17 games. He scored 103 points last season.
Nov. 19: Boston Bruins fire coach Jim Montgomery
The Boston Bruins made Jim Montgomery the first coaching casualty of the 2024-25 NHL season, firing him less than two seasons after he was named coach of the year.
Associate coach Joe Sacco, a former Colorado Avalanche head coach, will take over behind the bench as the interim head coach.
The move came after a blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Montgomery, who was in the final year of his contract, was let go with the team sitting at 8-9-3 and sporting poor underlying numbers.
BRUINS: More details on coaching change
Nov. 18: Islanders’ Mike Reilly to have procedure on heart
General manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters that the pre-existing heart condition was discovered during routine testing for a concussion that had sidelined the defenseman since Nov. 1.
‘It’s probably a blessing in disguise of what transpired,’ Lamoriello said. ‘They detected this, something that you’re sometimes born with, but never knew.’
He said Reilly has been cleared from the concussion.
Nov. 15: Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin returns from suspension
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin returned Friday night from his six-month suspension. He was suspended during the playoffs last May under Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He also was in the program for about two months earlier in the 2023-24 season and missed part of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. Nichushkin is a key offensive contributor with 28 goals in 54 games last season. Injured forwards Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood also returned Friday.
Also: The Vegas Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb, the franchise leader in games played, to a three-year contract extension that averages $3.65 million a year.
OILERS: Connor McDavid is fourth fastest to reach 1,000 points
Nov. 13: Sabres claim goalie James Reimer off waivers
The Buffalo Sabres claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers, bringing him back to where he signed a free agent contract in the summer. Reimer was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks off waivers earlier this season when the Sabres tried to send him to the American Hockey League. The Ducks put him on waivers after the return of injured goalie John Gibson. Reimer, on a one-year, $1 million contract, played two games in Anaheim with a 4.50 goals-against average. No. 1 Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was hurt in Monday’s loss but hasn’t been ruled out for Thursday’s game.
Also: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm will be out ‘weeks’ with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot, coach Jim Montgomery said.
Nov. 12: Capitals reacquire Lars Eller in trade with Penguins
Center Lars Eller, 35, is a familiar face for the Washington Capitals after playing in Washington from 2016-23 and winning a Stanley Cup there in 2018. He kills penalties and is strong in the faceoff circle. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ side of the trade might be more interesting. They get a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder, and this also could be an indication that the Penguins are shaking up the roster after a disappointing start. Eller’s trade will allow the team to give more ice time to younger players. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent.
Also: The Winnipeg Jets claimed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche and loaned him to their American Hockey League affiliate. They had lost him on waivers to the Avalanche last month.
Nov. 11: Flames’ Anthony Mantha to have season-ending surgery
Also: The Colorado Avalanche placed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers. They had claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets last month.
Nov. 9: Penguins recall veteran goalie Tristan Jarry from minors
The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 26 after recording a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. His AHL numbers were 2.16, .926.
Also: The Philadelphia Flyers made rookie Matvei Michkov a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game.
Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks
The Seattle Kraken landed Daniel Sprong, one of their former players, in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have struggled to score this season and Sprong had 21 goals for them two seasons ago. The forward has scored double-digit goals five times. He had one goal with Vancouver this season.
Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs get defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Liljegren, 25, had been limited to one game in Toronto this season, and the Maple Leafs recently committed to blue-liner Jake McCabe with a five-year extension. But Liljegren should fit in well in San Jose, which is building around younger players. Benning, 30, and Liljegren are signed through 2025-26.
This is the second day with an NHL trade after none previously since the season opened in North America.
Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings
The Utah Hockey Club gives up a third-round pick as it addresses a desperate need for a veteran defenseman. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term after surgery. Utah has been leaking goals during a four-game losing streak, including blowing a 4-1 lead late in the third period against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta is solid defensively and has nearly 700 games of NHL experience.
Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension with an annual average value of $4.51 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports there is some deferred money in the deal. McCabe, 31, had been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a February 2023 trade and ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and a team-best plus-6 rating.
Also: The New York Rangers recalled rugged forward Matt Rempe from the American Hockey League after he played two games there. The Rangers play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in what has become a feisty rivalry.
Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors
The Pittsburgh Penguins sent two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan after his early season struggles. He had been sent home from the Penguins’ road trip to work on his game after recording a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage in three games. He was pulled from his last start on Oct. 16 and gave up six goals in the opener.
Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has had the most starts in the Penguins net this season and Alex Nedeljkovic recently returned from an injury.
Also: The New York Islanders signed rugged forward Matt Martin for the rest of the season. He had been to camp on a tryout agreement after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders.
Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension
The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere have agreed to a seven-year extension as he builds on last season’s breakthrough. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick will average $7.45 million in the deal, according to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. That’s up from this year’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, 23, broke through with 28 goals and 57 points last season and added eight goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He is averaging a point a game this season through seven games and scored his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He is signed through 2031-32.
Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will average $7.425 million in the extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2031-32. Getting him signed now is important after the Golden Knights lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup team to free agency during the summer.
Theodore, 29, is the franchise’s top-scoring defenseman with 296 points and has opened this season with seven points in six games. Vegas’ top three defensemen (also Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin) are signed through at least 2026-27.
Oct. 22: Panthers give coach Paul Maurice contract extension
Maurice, who joined the Panthers in 2022-23, went to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season and won it last year. His 29 playoff wins are a franchise record.
He has 98 regular-season wins with Florida and his 873 career wins rank fourth all time in NHL history.
Also: The Blues signed forward Jake Neighbours to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension.
Oct. 17: Stars’ Jake Oettinger signs eight-year contract extension
The Dallas Stars signed goalie Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The $8.25 million cap hit matches the deals recently signed by the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Senators’ Linus Ullmark.
Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.