Canucks’ Linden: Desjardins will be back next season

Willie Desjardins' job is safe for now.

The head coach isn't going anywhere, according to Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Trevor Linden, who said as much to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"Earlier this week, I had a chance to speak to Trevor Linden and one of the things he said was, 'End any speculation about Willie Desjardins' future. There's no doubt he will be back as head coach of the Canucks'," Friedman said during Saturday's edition of "Headlines."

Desjardins is 24-27-12 in his second season behind the Canucks' bench, with Vancouver entering Saturday's action 12 points out of a playoff spot.

The Canucks went 48-29-5 in his first NHL campaign last season before being eliminated in six games by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs.

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VIDEO: Subban coughs up puck to Scheifele for breakaway goal

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

This won't help P.K. Subban get in head coach Michel Therrien's good graces.

The Montreal Canadiens defenseman tried one too many moves in his own zone, coughing up the puck to Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele, who buried an easy goal to open the scoring Saturday night.

Therrien singled out his Norris Trophy-winning blue-liner last month for a turnover that led to an overtime winner for the Colorado Avalanche.

Alex Galchenyuk scored his 20th goal of the season to tie the game about a minute later, so maybe Subban's off the hook for now.

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VIDEO: Palat schools Hainsey to score highlight-reel, end-to-end goal

Spare a thought for Ron Hainsey.

The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman was dummied by Ondrej Palat on Saturday night, as the Tampa Bay Lightning forward went from his zone to the other to score a marvelous goal.

Speed, skill, and one hell of a shot. It had it all.

Palat has two against Carolina, his ninth and 10th of the season.

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VIDEO: Ovechkin draws 5-minute major for boarding Bruins’ Miller

Alex Ovechkin spent five minutes in the penalty box for boarding Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller on Saturday.

Miller was forced to leave the game and appeared to be favoring his right shoulder which had been surgically repaired last February.

The nature of the injury may have played a role in the penalty call.

Still, the incident may be reviewed by the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

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Brooks Laich will be forever tied with the Nylanders

Brooks Laich's time in Toronto won't be in vain.

The former much-loved Washington Capitals forward was traded to the Maple Leafs last week, and it was difficult for him to accept, as the first-place Caps are Stanley Cup favorites. But after Saturday, Laich's got a story to tell.

Laich assisted on the first NHL goal of William Nylander's career Saturday night, and the 32-year-old has a history with William's father, Michael Nylander, as the two played together for the Capitals.

Related: VIDEO - Nylander snipes for 1st NHL goal

In fact, Laich assisted on the final goal of Michael's career, on April 5, 2009, against the Atlanta Thrashers (may they rest in peace).

"Uncle Brooks" will be telling this one for a while.

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Canadiens’ Gallagher done for the night due to injury vs. Jets

Brendan Gallagher played less than five minutes before suffering an injury Saturday night.

The Montreal Canadiens forward left the game against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period, and his club announced in the first intermission that he would not return.

He appeared to take a Max Pacioretty shot in the hand before departing, but the Canadiens classified the injury as a lower-body ailment, and it's more likely to have occurred when Gallagher's skate got caught with that of Jets forward Marko Dano, causing the Canadiens winger to do the splits.

(Courtesy: Sportsnet)

Gallagher missed 17 games earlier this season with a pair of broken fingers.

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Kings’ Versteeg injured in loss to rival Ducks

Los Angeles Kings forward Kris Versteeg suffered an upper-body injury during the first period of the Kings' 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

Originally listed as questionable to return, Versteeg's day ended late in the first period, two shifts after being involved in a line brawl and dropping the gloves with Rickard Rakell.

Versteeg was appearing in his second game with the Kings after being acquired from Carolina prior to the trade deadline for a pick and a prospect.

The severity of the injury has not yet been disclosed.

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VIDEO: Nylander snipes for 1st NHL goal

Young William Nylander is on the board.

The prized Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, only 19, scored his first NHL goal on Saturday, going shelf blocker side on Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson.

The goal comes in Nylander's fourth career game. It's his first point in the league, too, as he was held off the scoresheet in his first three games, recording seven shots.

But Nylander - admittedly a bit starstruck earlier in the week when the Maple Leafs visited the Washington Capitals - hasn't looked out of place in hockey's top league.

Finally, Maple Leafs fans have something to look forward to. And they'll get used to that display of skill easily.

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VIDEO: Maple Leafs salute an emotional Phaneuf with tribute video

Grab some Kleenex.

The Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed former captain Dion Phaneuf back to the Air Canada Centre for the first time since a February trade, and the hosts pulled out all the stops.

Well, more stops than they did for Phil Kessel.

Related: Alter: Phaneuf feeling 'mixed emotions' before facing Maple Leafs in Toronto

Phaneuf got the tribute-video treatment, and a standing ovation, and the show of support left the usually stonefaced defenseman fighting back some serious emotion.

Phaneuf was booed immediately Saturday, the puck coming to him off the opening faceoff. He's the enemy in Toronto now. But Maple Leafs supporters gave the man who wore the "C" for 397 games some love, and it was clearly appreciated.

"That tribute clearly meant something to Dion," tweeted TSN's Mark Masters.

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VIDEO: Flyers’ Gudas scores 1st of season with slapper from center ice

Radko Gudas isn't known for getting the best of opposing goalies.

Heading into Saturday's game against Columbus, the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman had yet to score a goal this season, while posting 98 penalty minutes in 57 games.

Naturally then, he beat Curtis McElhinney from center ice to throw that monkey off his back.

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