Carolina Hurricanes

They have been aggressive the past two seasons, trading for Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen, though they weren't able to re-sign those players. The Hurricanes likely want to make a splash again as they try to get past the third round. They have cap space and a first-round pick.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are a legitimate threat to end their nine-year playoff drought. They made only minor moves at last year's deadline, which drew criticism. Acquiring Panarin would be a major addition and the Red Wings have tons of cap space. Panarin would be reunited with former Blackhawks and Rangers teammate Patrick Kane.

Dallas Stars

The Stars were also aggressive last season, trading for and signing Rantanen at the 2025 deadline. They could use forward help with Tyler Seguin out after ACL surgery. But they lack a first-round pick and their cap situation is tight.

Los Angeles Kings

If they could acquire and sign Panarin, it would help the team's future with Anze Kopitar going to retire after the season. They have a first-round pick and workable cap space.

Vegas Golden Knights

When are they not in the mix whenever a big name is available? They already traded for Rasmus Andersson this season. It doesn't matter what their cap situation is. They find a way.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Artemi Panarin landing spots: Where Rangers star could go

Top 10 defensemen in the 2026 NHL Draft

North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff

The most well-rounded defender in the class, Verhoeff's improvement this season makes him an easy choice as the top blueliner. He has good size, excellent fluidity on his feet and some of the best passing skills of any blueliner in the class. Verhoeff understands how to make smart plays at both ends of the ice, which allows him to win most of his shifts. He looks like a top-five pick. 

Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits

Smits is the ultimate ball of clay that NHL teams can mold into an effective defenseman. His baseline is quite high as a big, mobile, defensive-minded player who can shut opponents down. His upside is incredible with the kind of run-and-gun offensive skill and fluidity that makes the best defenders in the world what they are. If he can continue to refine his offensive game, he could be a top-pair stud.

HV71 (Sweden) defenseman Malte Gustafsson

Malte Gustafsson has impressed in the Swedish League, and his overall control of the game makes him one of the most interesting defenders in the draft. There isn't an area of the game you can point to as a weakness. Gustafsson has become more physical at the men's level while continuing to showcase his mobility and puck-moving on the breakout. He's become a true two-way presence and should be taken inside the top 10. 

Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve

Villeneuve is one of the most dynamic puck-moving blueliners in the class. He is a true difference-maker on offense, with incredible shiftiness and passing. His defensive game is better than he gets credit for, using his feet to defend and turn the play around. He's a wild card, however, because he's 5-foot-11 and 162 pounds. Villeneuve could be taken in the top half of the first round, or he could fall because of his size. 

Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid

Reid is possibly the most divisive defenseman at the top of the class. He can carry the puck through the neutral zone and create off the rush. His passing is inconsistent, but when it's on, it's quite dangerous in the attacking end. Reid shows the tools needed to be effective defensively, but that's a work in progress. He's being discussed as a top-10 pick, but he could fall outside that range. 

Lulea (Sweden) defenseman William Hakansson

One of the premier defensive blueliners, Hakansson is a stopper in the simplest terms. He has excellent size, uses his length well to defend in transition and gets into the corners to recover pucks effectively. Hakansson has a physical edge to his game as well. If a team wants a defender who can put up a wall in their own zone, you could see Hakansson go around the mid-first round. 

Tappara (Finland) defenseman Juho Piiparinen

Piiparinen is a steady, do-it-all defenseman who limits mistakes and knows when to make the right play. He won't blow your mind when you watch him, but he can do just about everything asked of him. He can shut down plays, recover dump-ins and move the puck up ice reliably. A mid-to-late first-round pick seems appropriate for a player you don't have to worry about too often. 

Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels

After getting some hype at the World Junior Championship, Carels has shot up many draft boards. His playmaking and steady all-around game have made him a very solid prospect. Carels can play just about any role adequately, but he just needs to find his specialty and really lean into it. He really could go anywhere in the first round since draft experts have him ranked all over the place. 

Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin

Although he's injured, Lin builds off his mobility in all areas of the game. His game is a bit inconsistent overall, but when he is on his A-game, he could be one of the top five defenders in the draft class. His ability to handle the puck, work along the blueline and set up teammates is impressive. He skates forward to defend, attempting to cut off play in the neutral zone. He could go anywhere in the mid-to-late first round. 

Dukla Trencin (Slovakia) defenseman Adam Goljer

A shutdown defender who is on the younger side of the draft class, Goljer is still a bit raw, but his potential as a top-four play-killer could be quite intriguing. The Slovak blueliner doesn't dangle his opponents on the breakout or at the offensive blueline – he punishes them. Goljer isn't quite as refined as some of the guys ahead of him, but he's got the upside you want to see from a no-nonsense defenseman.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA freshman Keaton Verhoeff leads top 10 NHL draft defense prospects

That didn't improve much when the second period began, and sure enough, midway through, the Kings scored. Jeff Malott was in a forecheck when he got his stick on the puck and fired a backhand pass out to Samuel Helenius in the slot for a 1-0 lead.

A second power play wasn't enough to generate momentum for the Wings, who squandered the last 1:39 of the second period again running around accomplishing little. The Wings had 10 shots on goal after 40 minutes.

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.

Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Patrick Kane ties Mike Modano as top US scorer in NHL

SAN JOSE SHARKS: Young star Macklin Celebrini named to Team Canada

Who is Kiefer Sherwood?

Sherwood is the Sharks' new forward who was acquired in a trade with the Canucks for Cole Clayton and two second round draft picks.

Sherwood, 30, has scored 23 points (17 goals, six assists) in 44 games in the 2025-26 regular-season for the Canucks. He led the team in goals, was third in points, and ranks second in the NHL in hits with 210.

In 2018, he signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks as an undrafted free agent after playing three years of college hockey at Miami University.

His first career point and win was against the Sharks in 2018. Now, Sherwood looks forward to joining to franchise he began his hockey career facing.

"It's great. I know the facility is pretty new, so I'm coming at a good time," Sherwood told reporters. "It's been great. I'm really excited to join this group. And just love the energy so far, and looking forward to get going."

How does Kiefer Sherwood help the San Jose Sharks?

Sherwood, a 6-foot, 194-pound native of Columbus, Ohio, joins a Sharks team that is young, but aims to make strides towards the NHL Playoffs.

Sherwood leaves a Canucks team that is 17-30-5 and scored 39 points for a Sharks organization with a 26-21-3 record and 55 points scored that is also on the cusp of a wild-card playoff spot.

"I'm just excited. I looked at the standings right away. And, you know, obviously you just want to be able to compete and be in the hunt," Sherwood said. "So that's something that, you know, I'm really looking forward to helping this team and pushing forward in the second half."

Sherwood has an upper body injury that has sidelined him from Sharks games, but when he comes back players know that they are getting an impact player added to their squad.

"I mean, he's a dog, just the way he competes, the way he battles," Celebrini said. "He's hard to play against, and that's something that I respected, playing against them, just anytime you match up against them, you know, it's not going to be easy. And, I mean, I'm happy to have that on our team."

"I think it's great. I think it's great. That's what we want in this locker room, is to add pieces that will hopefully help us win," Celebrini added. "He's an awesome guy, and I think we're all just excited for him to get into the lineup and start playing."

Some standout moments from Sherwood early on in the 2025-26 regular-season has been recording two hat tricks this season. Once on Oct. 30 at the St. Louis Blues and later on Dec. 19 at the New York Islanders.

Over the course of his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and Canucks, Sherwood has appeared in 309 NHL games, scoring 121 points (60 goals, 61 assists). 

In a seven-game stretch from Nov. 8 to Nov. 20, Sherwood tallied three goals and four assists. He has scored three consecutive 10-goal seasons. He currently has 17 goals on the season, his career-high for a season in 19.

Known for his physical play, Sherwood is excited to bring his tenacity and talents to Northern California and the Bay Area.

"Yeah, that's I want to make us hard to play against and do whatever I can to do that, whether that's being physical or being verbal or emotional or mental, whatever it is, you know, kind of the game within the game, I want to make it hard to play against us, and try to add different and complement some of the identity that I know that the team is building," Sherwood said.

Sherwood said he looks to help bring the team energy by occasionally "stir things up" but also being a "glue guy."

He's eager to get out there.

"I know the Shark Tank is a special place when it gets buzzing," Sherwood said. "There's so many things about Northern Cali and what San Jose has to offer. And obviously, the players are, there's some special players brewing. And, you know, I think it's an exciting time to be part of that. And you know, they're building a great culture moving forward. And I'm just getting, you know, excited to get to know everyone and kind of ruffle some feathers when I can, you know, and and whatnot."

He is excited to join them and their fight for playoffs. Both, literally and figuratively.

He took notice of the Sharks' since-viral goalie fight between Sharks' goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky on the night of the trade.

"I'm just not playing," he said of why he's frustrated. "I just want to be out there with the guys."

He said he received a text message right after the gesture was shown on the TV broadcast.

"I was like, 'Not a good idea, not a good thing to do,'" he said. "Like I said, I apologize about that."

Nylander, who sat out 10 other games with injury this season, said he hopes to return to action during the team's upcoming road trip, which runs from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3.

He has also been named to Swedish Olympic team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maple Leafs' William Nylander fined for obscene gesture

"I'm just not playing," he said of why he's frustrated. "I just want to be out there with the guys."

He said he received a text message right after the gesture was shown on the TV broadcast.

"I was like, 'Not a good idea, not a good thing to do,'" he said. "Like I said, I apologize about that."

Nylander, who sat out 10 other games with injury this season, said he hopes to return to action during the team's upcoming road trip, which runs from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3.

He has also been named to Swedish Olympic team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maple Leafs' William Nylander fined for obscene gesture

In fact, the Kings turned what would have been a morning skate into a full practice after the decision was made to postpone the game.

The start time for the March 9 makeup game hasn't been determined yet, but playing on that date now gives both teams an extra set of back-to-back games to play. The Blue Jackets will host the Kings and then fly to Florida after the game to conclude their new back-to-back March 10 at the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the Kings will fly to Boston for a back-to-back finale against the Bruins.

The Blue Jackets will now play four games in six days, including the last three on the road, while the Kings have a five-game road trip, rather than four.

Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets game vs Los Angeles Kings postponed

NHL power rankings

Statistics are through Jan. 25. Number in parentheses indicates a change from two weeks ago.

1. Colorado Avalanche (0)

Forward Brock Nelson had a hat trick as the Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 4-1 to end a 1-2-2 slide. The U.S. Olympian ranks second on Colorado with 27 goals.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (+1)

The Lightning's 15-game point streak ended as they fell 8-5 to the Blue Jackets despite a four-point game by Nikita Kucherov. He had 32 points during the team's point streak.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (+2)

Struggling Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been mentioned in trade rumors. He has averaged a little more than 11 minutes a game and has two goals in 31 games while carrying a $4.82 million cap hit.

4. Detroit Red Wings (+2)

Patrick Kane is one point away from tying Hall of Famer Mike Modano for most points by a U.S.-born scorer. He could have tied in his last game, but one of his assists was taken away.

5. Minnesota Wild (-3)

Swedish defenseman Jonas Brodin had surgery for a lower-body injury and will miss the Olympics. But fellow Olympians Matt Boldy (USA) and Joel Eriksson Ek (Sweden) appear good to go after returning from injuries.

6. Dallas Stars (-2)

Two Stars non-Olympians are putting up big numbers. Jason Robertson leads U.S. scorers with 30 goals. Wyatt Johnston (Canada) leads all NHL players with 17 power-play goals.

7. Buffalo Sabres (+3)

The Sabres have surged from outside the playoff picture to third in the Atlantic Division since changing general managers. Jarmo Kekalainen made his first major move by giving Josh Doan a seven-year extension.

8. Vegas Golden Knights (0)

Goaltender Adin Hill is 2-2 since returning from a long injury absence, but he has a .848 save percentage. He lost 7-1 to the Senators on Jan. 25.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins (+4)

The Penguins went 4-0 in their western Canada trip, their first sweep there since 2018. British Columbia native Ben Kindel scored twice in a Jan. 25 win in Vancouver

10. Montreal Canadiens (-3)

The Canadiens have lost two in a row and dropped to a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

11. Boston Bruins (+5)

Forward David Pastrnak has six goals and 17 assists in his last 12 games. He has been held off the scoreboard once in that stretch, in which the Bruins have gone 10-2.

12. New York Islanders (-3)

Bo Horvat, the Islanders' lone Olympian (Canada), returned on Jan. 24 from an injury that kept him out for nine games.

13. Florida Panthers (+5)

Matthew Tkachuk played his first game of the season on Jan. 19, but his appearance was overshadowed by the first NHL goalie fight in six years. Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky charged down the ice to take on San Jose's Alex Nedeljkovic, who had entered a scrum behind his net. The Panthers are 3-1 since Tkachuk returned.

14. Utah Mammoth (+7)

Goalie Karel Vejmelka, named to the Czech Olympic team, is 9-1 with 2.19 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in January.

15. Edmonton Oilers (-1)

Connor McDavid has been averaging two points a game since the start of December to move into the league's scoring lead. He had five points, including an overtime win, against the Capitals on Jan. 24. Defenseman Evan Bouchard had three goals and three assists in that game.

16. Philadelphia Flyers (-5)

Forward Rodrigo Abols will miss the Olympics because of an ankle injury. He had been named to Team Latvia as one of the first six. Two of the Flyers' other Olympians, Czechia's Dan Vladar and Finland's Rasmus Ristolainen, are on the injured list. They were at practice on Jan. 26.

17. Anaheim Ducks (+10)

The Ducks have won seven in a row after a nine-game winless streak. Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe is heading to the Olympics, replacing injured Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. Sweden's Leo Carlsson had a procedure for a laceration and could miss the Games.

18. San Jose Sharks (+2)

Forward Kiefer Sherwood, acquired from the Canucks, is second in the league with 210 hits. The top Sharks player this season is Ryan Reaves with 133.

19. Los Angeles Kings (0)

The Kings caught a break when goalie Darcy Kuemper didn't miss any games in an injury scare. He left a game after his arm went numb following a collision, but he started the Kings' next game.

20. Seattle Kraken (-3)

The Kraken, who dropped out of a playoff spot in a 2-5-2 slide, pulled even in points with the Sharks and Kings for the second wild card spot. They remain out of a position because they have played one more game.

21. Toronto Maple Leafs (-9)

Injured Mitch Marner apologized on social media for making an obscene gesture while on camera. "sorry about my moment of frustration today!" he posted on Jan. 25. "didn't mean to upset anyone. looking forward to being back on ice and not in the stands."

22. Columbus Blue Jackets (+6)

The Blue Jackets have gone 5-1 since firing coach Dean Evason and hiring Rick Bowness as a replacement.

23. New Jersey Devils (0)

Dougie Hamilton has a goal and eight assists in seven games since he sat out as a healthy scratch. The veteran's production has risen with Luke Hughes out with an injury.

24. Washington Capitals (-9)

The Capitals have one win in their last six games, a stretch that included a regulation loss to the last-place Canucks. But by picking up a point in an overtime loss to the Oilers, they sit two points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division.

25. Ottawa Senators (-1)

Goaltender Linus Ullmark returned from his leave of absence on Jan. 25 as a backup. He told TSN he took the leave for mental health reasons and blasted the rumors that started. "People wonder why hockey players, professional athletes are not talking, why we're not showing any sort of emotions, what mental health in men and women are a stigma," he said. "It took them less than 24 hours from my absence of leave to try to find reasons to why I'm gone, saying that I'm a homewrecker, a person that no one likes on the team."

26. Nashville Predators (-4)

Steven Stamkos' bounce-back season continues. He picked up his second hat trick of the season and has 25 goals in 51 games, two shy of his 2024-25 total in 82 games.

27. Chicago Blackhawks (-1)

Connor Bedard has been limited to one goal, four points and a minus 6 rating in eight games since he returned from a shoulder injury.

28. Winnipeg Jets (+3)

The Jets have been up and down this season as they try to avoid missing the playoffs one season after winning the Presidents' Trophy. They put together a four-game winning streak after ending an 11-game winless streak. But now they lost four of their last five games.

29. New York Rangers (-4)

General manager Chris Drury sent fans a letter indicating the team will retool. They won't offer pending UFA Artemi Panarin a contract, per reports, meaning they have to work with him to waive his no-movement clause so they don't lose him for nothing. Vincent Trocheck has been mentioned as a trade possibility.

30. Calgary Flames (-1)

The Flames dealt pending UFA defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Golden Knights. Along with draft picks, they received defenseman Zach Whitecloud, who's signed through 2028.

31. St. Louis Blues (-1)

Canadian Olympic team goalie Jordan Binnington has lost four in a row since a Jan. 23 shutout, giving up 18 goals.

32. Vancouver Canucks (0)

Forward Kiefer Sherwood, the subject of much trade speculation, was shipped to the Sharks for two second-round picks and American Hockey League defenseman Cole Clayton.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL power rankings: Atlantic Division soaring while Central slows

The Predators plan to honor defenseman Roman Josi in a pregame ceremony. He played in his 1,000th career NHL game on Jan. 22.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Winter storm warning: NHL game in Nashville moved earlier