Giroux is in the final season of an eight-year contract with an $8.275-million cap hit before becoming an unrestricted free agent. His pact also contains a full no-movement clause, so he controls his own destiny.
The 34-year-old is having another stellar campaign. He's tallied 17 goals and 23 assists in 53 games - both of which rank second on the Flyers. He's adept at playing both center and wing, too, and has won 61.5% of his faceoffs this season.
The Flyers sit last in the Metropolitan Division and are widely expected to be sellers at the trade deadline.
Ruff's Devils did it in style, too, scoring five unanswered goals against the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche after falling behind 3-0.
The 62-year-old is seven wins away from passing Hall of Famer Al Arbour for the fifth spot.
Rank
Coach
Wins
1.
Scotty Bowman
1244
2.
Joel Quenneville
969
3.
Barry Trotz
898
4.
Ken Hitchcock
849
5.
Al Arbour
782
6.
Lindy Ruff
776
Ruff won 571 games with the Buffalo Sabres, 165 with the Dallas Stars, and now 40 with the Devils. He also ranks third all-time in regulation losses with 615, trailing only Maurice (681) and Trotz (659).
Chychrun finished 10th in Norris Trophy voting last campaign after leading all NHL defensemen with 18 goals. He's in the midst of a down season with 16 points in 44 games. However, his underlying numbers over a three-year sample size remain stellar:
Evolving-Hockey.com
The Coyotes are reportedly asking for a return similar to what the Buffalo Sabres received for Jack Eichel earlier this season. The Sabres traded Eichel and a 2023 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a 2022 first-round selection, and a conditional 2023 second-round pick.
Chychrun, 23, is signed for three more seasons at a $4.6-million cap hit, per CapFriendly. Arizona selected him 16th overall at the 2016 NHL Draft.
The NHL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and there's nothing more fun this time of year than arguing over hypothetical swaps.
Here's how this exercise went down: Each of theScore's five NHL news editors (Kayla Douglas, Josh Gold-Smith, Brandon Maron, Sean O'Leary, and myself) submitted one trade to have the other four editors vote on which team they think would say no. "Both" and "good deal" were options, too.
Remember, these deals are hypothetical. Editors were encouraged to think outside the box.
Below, I dive into the trades and analyze which aspects make sense and which don't.
Leafs win Chychrun sweepstakes, reunite with Kessel
Why it could work: General managers Kyle Dubas and Bill Armstrong clearly have a working relationship after making twotrades with each other in recent weeks. Toronto's need for a top-four defenseman is no secret. And Chychrun, who's just 23 years old, fits into both the team's timeline and cap structure (his contract includes three more years at $4.6 million per season).
There have been rumors the Coyotes are seeking a Jack Eichel-type package for Chychrun. This deal fits that structure, but the value might be a bit short. Holl and Kerfoot have an additional year of term on their contracts and could be flipped for more futures at next year's deadline, while Robertson is a promising prospect.
Why it might not: As far as narratives go, Kessel returning to Toronto would be highly entertaining. However, his fit in the team's lineup is suspect. He's a significant downgrade defensively from Kerfoot, and it remains to be seen whether he can still be effective in a top-six role on a team with Cup aspirations. The Leafs would likely be willing to take that chance if it meant getting Chychrun, but they might prefer a deal that doesn't involve Kessel.
From Arizona's perspective, no guaranteed building blocks are coming back. Robertson has potential, but he hasn't proven himself as an NHLer. His AHL numbers are good but don't jump off the page. The draft pick could be late in the first round, too. If this is the best offer the Coyotes get for Chychrun, they'd be smart to keep him and hope for something better this offseason.
Why it could work: As long as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are still humming, Penguins GM Ron Hextall needs to do everything in his power to try to bring Pittsburgh another Stanley Cup. The team's biggest need is a winger for Malkin, and Miller is an ideal fit - especially since he's signed through 2023 with a bargain $5.25-million cap hit. Kapanen has struggled this year (and makes the deal work cap-wise), and Joseph is just depth for Pittsburgh at this point.
Kapanen has believers in Vancouver. While with the Penguins front office, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin drafted Kapanen in 2014, then re-acquired him from the Leafs in 2020. Kapanen's father, Sami, played under Rutherford with the Carolina Hurricanes. Rutherford also acquired Joseph, a 2017 first-round defenseman, from the Coyotes during his time in Pittsburgh.
Why it might not: A first-round pick, a young roster player, and a prospect would usually fetch a player with an extra year of term. However, it's possible the Canucks would want much more, even with the fourth-rounder sprinkled in.
Miller has blossomed into a star point-per-game player with Vancouver, capable of playing center and wing effectively. If the Canucks give him up - which isn't a guarantee considering the playoffs are still a possibility - they might want someone with more upside than Kapanen and Joseph coming back.
Why it could work: The possibility of Columbus dealing Laine is fascinating, even though Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen recently shut down those rumors. The 23-year-old sniper is a pending RFA. He could simply accept his $7.5-million qualifying offer again this summer before becoming a UFA in 2023.
It's no secret the Jackets have struggled to keep star players. And the ones they've held on to, they had to pay an additional Columbus tax (see Werenski, Zach). If the Jackets can't get Laine to agree to an extension this summer, they may have to trade him. Letting him walk for free isn't an option.
The Rangers, meanwhile, could use an additional offensive threat, and Laine fits into their timeline.
Why it might not: The Blue Jackets gave up Pierre-Luc Dubois to get Laine, so they may want more of a sure thing if they're going to trade the Finn. Kravtsov and Lundkvist (both 2018 first-rounders) have upside, but neither has proven themselves as NHLers yet. If Kekalainen ships Laine to New York, he'd be wise to ask for a package including Alexis Lafreniere or Kaapo Kakko.
The value makes sense for the Rangers, and Laine would help them this season. However, how he fits into their long-term plans is foggy. Extensions for Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox are kicking in next season. New York has already invested ample money and draft resources on the wing with Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Lafreniere, and Kakko. If the Rangers make a big swing for a forward, a center makes more sense, especially since Ryan Strome is a pending UFA.
Why it could work: The Avs are Stanley Cup favorites, so it only makes sense for them to go all-in. This is their year to be aggressive, too. Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, and Darcy Kuemper are pending UFAs, and Nathan MacKinnon's bargain deal expires in 2023. It shouldn't matter that Hertl is just a rental.
Hertl would be a fantastic addition. He could play wing on the second line with Kadri or center his own third line to make Colorado even deeper.
The Sharks reportedly tried negotiating an extension with Hertl and aren't looking to trade him. However, San Jose might not have a choice if it can't get a deal done before the deadline. Plus, there's always a chance the Sharks could lure him back in free agency after moving him. That'd be a win-win.
Why it might not: Jost has yet to live up to the billing of a top-10 pick back in 2016, but he's still a valuable member of Colorado's bottom six. The Avs might prefer to part with a prospect rather than somebody from the active roster. If Jost is a must-have part of the package, perhaps they'd get the Sharks to include an additional depth forward in the deal with minimal long-term value, like Andrew Cogliano or Matt Nieto.
Barron, a 2020 first-rounder, along with Jost, makes this a steep price for a rental. The Avs might want someone with an extra year of term, like J.T. Miller, if they're giving up this package. Or, perhaps they'd prefer a rental with slightly less value, such as Claude Giroux.
Why it could work: The group is split on this deal, which tends to mean it's fair. The Capitals are in the same spot as the Penguins. As long as their aging core is still performing at a high level, they have to go all-in - despite GM Brian MacLellan's recent comments.
Goaltending has been Washington's weakness this season, so adding a proven netminder in Fleury, albeit a rental, is smart. Fleury's contract contains a 10-team no-trade list, so he'll have a significant say in where he goes. That could limit his market and prove to be the reason the rebuilding Blackhawks don't get a guaranteed first-rounder out of this.
Despite his relative struggles, Samsonov is just 25. Arvid Soderblom is Chicago's only goalie under team control for next year (Kevin Lankinen and Collin Delia are also pending UFAs), so the 2015 first-rounder fills a significant need moving forward.
Why it might not: The Blackhawks might want to get a guaranteed first-rounder in exchange for Fleury since he's by far the best goaltender available, and there are other contenders with a need between the pipes, such as the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Maple Leafs. Chicago also probably has no use for Irwin, a 34-year-old depth D-man on an expiring contract.
The Caps might not be ready to give up on Samsonov either. Goaltenders tend to reach their peak later in their careers, and Washington has already invested so many years developing the Russian netminder.
Welcome to the fifth edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings.
These rankings focus on analytics and the all-around ability of defensemen rather than just points or reputation.
xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
xGA/60 = expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five
5. Adam Fox, Rangers
Jared Silber / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
51
7
46
24:26
50.2
Previous rank: 4th
Fox continues to slide on this list. He was first in December, third in January, fourth in February, and now fifth in March. If Charlie McAvoy hadn't had a down month himself, Fox may have found himself outside the top five.
This is not entirely Fox's fault - it's more indicative of the players ahead of him on this list. He's coming off a stellar month with six assists and a 55.9 xGF% in his last seven games.
The Rangers are one of the worst underlying squads in the league, especially as far as playoff teams go. They rank 27th in the NHL in xGF%, but that mark improves over six percentage points when Fox is on the ice compared to when he's off.
4. Roman Josi, Predators
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
52
14
41
25:17
52.1
Previous rank: N/A
Josi is appearing on this list for the first time since the opening month of the season when he found himself at No. 1 after a scorching-hot start. His play since then has been nothing to balk at, but there have been five defensemen consistently playing at an elite level in front of him.
We cannot ignore Josi any longer, though. The Predators captain has reeled off 11 points in his last eight games with a 51.7 xGF%. His defensive metrics are solid, too, as he ranks in the top 50 in xGA/60 among blue-liners.
What's most impressive about Josi's season is that he's doing it without his longtime partner Ryan Ellis, who was traded to Philadelphia in the offseason. He's been playing primarily with youngster Dante Fabbro, but it hasn't affected his performance one bit - the sign of a true No. 1 D-man.
3. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
52
14
35
25:20
57.6
Previous rank: 3rd
The Panthers had some significant time off during what was supposed to be the Olympic break, so Ekblad's only played six games since the last edition of these rankings. He made the most of them, though, churning out four goals, four assists, and an xGF% of 60.7%.
Ekblad is firmly entrenched in the No. 3 spot right now. He's widened the gap between No. 4 and No. 5 but still has work to do to crack the top two.
2. Victor Hedman, Lightning
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
52
11
40
25:25
57.7
Previous rank: 1st
It was a rather quiet month for Hedman. He only played six games, registering a goal, three assists, and a 54.7 xGF%. The reason he's dropped out of the top spot has more to do with the player ahead of him on our list rather than his own play. That says a lot about our No. 1, considering Hedman is having arguably the best season of his Hall of Fame career.
Hedman is still very much in this race and could easily find himself back at No. 1 next month. It should be a compelling finish between the 31-year-old veteran and the young, hotshot defenseman who holds the top spot.
1. Cale Makar, Avalanche
Bill Smith / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
50
18
40
25:11
57.2
Previous rank: 2nd
Makar owns our top spot in part because of his play since the last edition of these rankings. Although he was held goalless over his last 10 games, he still tallied 14 assists - 12 of them at even strength - and a 60.7 xGF%. While his torrid goal-scoring pace from early in the season is drying up, Makar is still impacting the game with his elite playmaking and defensive play.
Makar is still on pace for 90 points. He would be the first defenseman to reach the 90-point mark since Hall of Famer Ray Bourque recorded 91 in 1993-94.
The impact he has on his team can't be understated, as well. Colorado's xGF% increases by seven percentage points when he's on the ice compared to when he's off it. Tampa Bay's xGF% increases the same amount when Hedman hits the ice, too, but Makar's strong play of late gives him a slight edge in what's shaping up to be one of the most memorable Norris races ever.
CCM Hockey announced Monday it will stop using Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin and other Russian NHL players in its global marketing initiatives amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"We are very sad to witness, like the rest of the world, what is happening in Ukraine," CCM chief executive Marrouane Nabih wrote in an email to TSN's Rick Westhead. "Although Mr. Ovechkin is not responsible for the Russian government's actions, we took the decision to not use him (or any Russian player) on any global CCM communication at this point."
CCM pays Ovechkin over $500,000 per year plus a percentage of its sales within Russia, a source told Westhead. Though the company will no longer use Ovechkin or other Russian players for global marketing, the source said it's unlikely CCM will try to terminate its contracts with them.
Nabih did not respond to follow-up questions from Westhead about the company's contracts with Ovechkin and other Russian players such as Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin and Capitals blue-liner Dmitry Orlov.
Ovechkin has been a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout his career. His current profile picture on Instagram features him standing next to Putin while giving the "peace" sign.
The 36-year-old said Friday he doesn't support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but when asked if he still supports Putin, Ovechkin responded: "Well, he's my president. But how I said, I'm not in politics. I'm an athlete."
The IIHF banned Russia and Belarus from all international hockey indefinitely Monday. The federation also removed Russia as host of the 2023 world juniors.
"If Jake Evans wants to fight me, I'll answer the bell for sure," Scheifele said ahead of Tuesday's matchup between the Jets and Canadiens - the first meeting between the two clubs since the 2021 postseason.
Scheifele laid out Evans in the final minute of Game 1 of Round 2 as the Canadiens forward tried to seal the contest with an empty-netter.
Scheifele was suspended four games for the hit, a ban the 28-year-old called "excessive" at the time. Montreal swept Winnipeg in four games, making Tuesday's contest the Canadiens' first chance for retribution.
But Evans, who suffered a concussion on the play and missed Montreal's next nine games, doesn't appear to be seeking vengeance.
"For me, it was handled last year in the playoffs," the 25-year-old told reporters. "I think the best way to get back at someone is winning a series and not even letting them play, so for me, it's done with. Like I said, I'm just happy I'm healthy."
The IIHF announced Monday it is banning Russia and Belarus from international hockey until further notice amid the invasion of Ukraine.
The federation will move the 2023 world juniors to a different location after the Russian cities of Novosibirsk and Omsk were originally set to host the event from Dec. 26, 2022, to Jan. 5, 2023. The IIHF will initiate discussions in the coming months to find a new host.
Russia is also slated to host the 2023 World Hockey Championship in May, but the IIHF has yet to make a decision on that tournament, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
The ban will keep Russia and Belarus out of multiple major international events, including the 2022 Worlds in May, the women's U18 tournament in June, and the rescheduled 2022 world juniors in August.
Belarus is included in the ban because it has assisted Russia's invasion by allowing its territory to be used to station troops and launch military attacks.
"The IIHF is not a political entity and cannot influence the decisions being taken over the war in Ukraine," IIHF president Luc Tardif said in a statement. "We nevertheless have a duty of care to all of our members and participants and must therefore do all we can to ensure that we are able to operate our events in a safe environment for all teams taking part in the IIHF World Championship program."
"We were incredibly shocked to see the images that have come out of Ukraine," added Tardif. "I have been in close contact with members of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, and we hope for all Ukrainians that this conflict can be resolved in a peaceful way and without the need for further violence."
The NHL released a statement Monday, announcing it is suspending all relationships with Russian business partners.
It appears Anaheim Ducks rookie general manager Pat Verbeek has a plan in place for three key pending free agents: Sign them to extensions or trade them.
Forward Rickard Rakell and defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson have generated plenty of buzz ahead of the trade deadline. All three will be UFAs at season's end, so Verbeek will have some decisions to make.
"I think going into this, I'm looking at it like we could make the playoffs, we could miss the playoffs," Verbeek told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "At the end of the day, there's no guarantee I can get those three free agents back. I'm going to attempt to sign them, if it doesn’t happen, I just can't let them walk out the door free."
The Ducks have a fourth key pending UFA in veteran captain Ryan Getzlaf, but his contract contains a full no-movement clause. He was in the same situation at last year's deadline and wanted to stay in Anaheim.
Verbeek reportedly began extension talks with Lindholm's camp last week. The 28-year-old Swede would arguably be the biggest trade chip of the three. The 6-foot-4 shutdown defender has recorded 20 points and averaged 22:42 of ice time in 53 games this season. Lindholm's cap hit is $5.205 million.
There's been no word of extension talks with Manson's camp, and the Ducks were reportedly open to trading him last season. The 6-foot-3 right-handed defenseman has registered only seven points in 43 games this season, but he brings the type of snarl and grit that teams covet come playoff time. The 30-year-old carries a $4.1-million cap hit.
Rakell, a two-time 30-goal scorer, is having a second consecutive down year by his standards. The winger has tallied 14 goals and 11 assists in 45 games. The 28-year-old's cap hit is $3.789 million.
"We've got a game plan, and we'll see if we can execute it over the next three weeks and in the next four months leading to free agency," Verbeek added.
The Ducks started off the season hot but currently sit sixth in the Pacific Division and 11th in the Western Conference.
Robertson will be in the lineup Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed to reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters.
The 20-year-old winger recorded eight points in nine games with the Marlies this season. He recently returned to the lineup after suffering a broken leg in October.
Robertson was a second-round pick by the Leafs in 2019. He's played in 10 NHL games - four during the 2020 playoffs and six last season - and tallied a goal and an assist.
