By Gary Pearson, BetMGM

Of the seven Canadian NHL teams, only the Edmonton Oilers would have a chance to win the Stanley Cup if the playoffs started today. 

For hockey fans in the Great White North, it's a good thing there's still a ton of hockey to be played. I can assure you that nobody north of the border will want to repeat the 2015-16 NHL playoffs, which had no Canadian participants. 

To avoid that unlikely and unthinkable scenario, what do Canadian teams need to do to rise from the doldrums?  

Defensive Frailties Headline Shortcomings

Going purely by the Stanley Cup odds, you won't be surprised to learn that the Oilers are the only Canadian outfit in a playoff position.

But if you looked at the standings a couple of weeks ago and not since, you'll be taken aback by the current pecking order.

All but one Canadian team ranks in the bottom 15 according to points percentage, with the Montreal Canadiens the best of the bunch. With a .569 points percentage, they rank 16th. 

Where Do Canadian Teams Rank Defensively?

Poor defensive play, subpar goaltending or a combination of both are the primary reasons for the sluggish start to the 2025-26 season. 

Four Canadian teams rank among the bottom 10 in three primary defensive categories, including goals against, goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, and goals against above expected. 

The Vancouver Canucks allow the most goals per game (3.60), the most goals per 60 minutes in all situations (3.55) and, logically, have conceded the most goals overall (108). 

The Canadiens allow the second-most goals per game (3.55), the third-most goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (2.9) and the third-most goals against above expected (5.65). 

The Oilers, meanwhile, concede the fifth-most goals per game (3.47) and the eighth-most goals against above expected (-1.82). 

And then there are the Ottawa Senators, which allow the ninth-most goals per game (3.31) and goals per 60 minutes in all situations (3.25), and the most goals against above expected (10.32).

Four Best Long Shots To Win The NHL's Eastern And Western ConferenceThe Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild among the NHL squads that are long shots to advance to the Stanley Cup final, but can they pull it off?

Thanks to a recent defensive resurgence, along with solid goaltending from the now-injured Joseph Woll and call-up Dennis Hildeby, the Toronto Maple Leafs have climbed out of the basement in most categories, where they were entrenched for the first quarter of the season. 

You might be surprised to learn of the Calgary Flames' absence from those ignominious stats. The polar opposite issue plagues the Flames, whose offense is about as toothless as a four-month-old baby. 

Most tellingly, only one Canadian team – the Winnipeg Jets – ranks in the top half of the league in overall goals against.

You don't have to be a hockey savant to know what is causing insomnia for the coaches north of the 49th parallel. 

The Stars have ascended to the top of the standings to challenge the Avalanche, though by points percentage, they still have some ways to go. 

The closing gap, however, means the Avs will have a serious challenger for the NHL power rankings lead and the Presidents' Trophy, though they're still on pace to match the Bruins' record-setting 135 points in the cap era. 

The rest of the standings is cramped like sardines or like an Italian-made ice rink. Only eight points separate the third-place Capitals and the 22nd-ranked Sharks.

It’ll be a busy month as the holidays approach, both with the Olympic teams being selected and a looming trade deadline that will come soon after the conclusion of the Games.

Here are this week's NHL power rankings.

1. Colorado Avalanche (21-2-7, +48. PR: 1)

After a 6-3 loss to the Isles, which was just their second (!) regulation loss of the season, it does seem like the margins are getting tighter. The Avs pulled off two one-goal wins and then nearly pulled off a comeback win against the Preds. Alas, they can't win any shootouts. 

2. Dallas Stars (21-5-5, +29. PR: 3)

The Stars were 3-3-1 in the first two weeks but since then have basically kept pace with the Avs, though they're still a little behind on points percentage. Regardless, this is shaping up to be the Stars' best season in the cap era with a killer power play that ranks third after finishing 17th last season.

3. Anaheim Ducks (19-10-1, +13. PR: 5)

No idea how they've managed to pull off the wins they have with Ville Husso in net, especially Tuesday against the Pens when they were outshot 47-28 with Beckett Sennecke forcing overtime with 0.1 seconds remaining on a shorthanded goal (!) and winning in a shootout. What a great pick by the Ducks, by the way, when they took Sennecke third overall in 2024 when he wasn't even ranked in the top 10 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. 

4. Washington Capitals (18-9-3, +28. PR: 7)

The Caps' dressing room vibes are second to none, and they've lost just once in regulation since Nov. 17, ripping off a 10-1-1 record and limiting opponents to two goals or less seven times. They're doing this without Pierre-Luc Dubois and John Carlson, which is really impressive.

NHL Hart Trophy Rankings: There's No Doubt About Who's The MVPColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has his team posting excellent results, while Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini remain in our top five front-runners for the NHL's Hart Trophy.

5. Minnesota Wild (16-9-5, +4. PR: 2)

Good goaltending can mask a lot of deficiencies, and Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson's hot streaks have come to an end, resulting in a 2-2-0 record during their road trip. Note the Wild are one of the league's worst possession teams, per naturalstattrick.com, so we shall see if the Wild can stay at the top.

6. Carolina Hurricanes (18-9-2, +15. PR: 9)

It's been a pretty uneven stretch for the Canes lately, and I do believe part of it is their loyalty to the struggling Frederik Andersen and being stubborn about having a three-goalie rotation. Since Nov. 11, they're just 6-5-2 and ranked 20th in points percentage. 

7. Vegas Golden Knights (14-6-9, +4. PR: 10)

The Knights are leaving points on the table with a league-leading nine losses in overtime or shootout; otherwise, they might be near the top of the league. An important part of the story is goaltending, where it does seem like Carter Hart has the inside track on the starting job until Adin Hill returns.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning (17-11-2, +18. PR: 4)

Some mild panic with a four-game losing streak, but then they righted the ship with a 6-1 win against the Habs on Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back on the road. The Lightning survived – thrived, even – when Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov were out of the lineup, but can do the same without Andrei Vasilevskiy? Victor Hedman, who's barely missed time throughout his career, has suddenly become injury-prone this season.

9. Los Angeles Kings (14-8-7, +3. PR: 9)

After a string of losses in extra time, I think it's a testament to the Kings' resilience that they avenged a 2-1 loss to the Hawks by beating them 6-0 in the following game, and then making quick work of the Mammoth with a 4-2 win. And, what's this, a defenseman on the Kings' top power-play unit?! Does Jim Hiller know he's allowed to do that?!

10. Detroit Red Wings (16-11-3, -7. PR: 11)

I swear, the Red Wings rollercoaster has more twists and turns than a Knives Out mystery. After going 0-3-1, the Wings are back on the right track, going 3-0-1 over the past week. They needed some help, and John Gibson turned in some (surprisingly) solid performances, but as long as they can peel off winning streaks here and there, they should be playoff-bound.

Who's Hot And Cold In The NHL: Seider Impresses, Heineman FizzlesThe Oilers' Draisaitl and Red Wings' Seider are among the NHL players who had stellar weeks. But other players had weeks to forget.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins (14-7-7, +7. PR: 13)

The loss of Evgeni Malkin will hurt, but the Pens continue to play well and got some bad luck losing two shootouts in a row in games that they could've won. The NHL has a Masterton award for dedication to the game, but I do wish there were also a comeback player of the year award. Tristan Jarry's definitely in the running for that. 

12. Philadelphia Flyers (16-9-3, +7. PR: 14)

At what point do we stop joking about how the Flyers are overachieving and admit that they're actually pretty good? Part of me wonders when their goaltending will fall off, but the other part acknowledges that they have a pretty balanced lineup without a superstar.

13. New York Islanders (17-11-3, +3. PR: 17)

What a resurgent season by Ilya Sorokin, and the Isles' lone loss over the past week was when he didn't start. Impressive wins against the red-hot Lightning, the league-leading Avs and then a (sort of) comeback win against the Knights cap off an impressive run. 

14. Boston Bruins (18-13-0, +5. PR: 22)

It's been a soft part of the schedule, but kudos to the Bruins for taking advantage, winning three of five games without David Pastrnak before his return Tuesday night. They're in the hunt for the Atlantic Division title… which is a wild sentence to type considering their pre-season outlook. 

15. New Jersey Devils (17-12-1, -4. PR: 8)

A five-game losing streak was snapped against the Sens, and that stopped the Devils from plummeting down the rankings. Prior to Tuesday's win, the Devils had scored just one goal in three games. Nico Hischier is a very dependable player, but he's been streaky on offense, so without Jack Hughes, it's been hard for the Devils to score when Hischier's not productive. Acquiring Quinn Hughes might help, though. Make the calls, Fitzy. 

16. New York Rangers (15-12-4, +2. PR: 21)

Discount the back-to-back overtime losses against two of the toughest teams in the West, and the Rangers are 5-1-0 with wins against some top-tier teams. They're still having trouble winning at home, but their turnaround is a really good sign, and now they find themselves right in the midst of the wild-card race.

17. San Jose Sharks (14-14-3, -16. PR: 15)

Still too many blowout losses where the Sharks aren't really in it, and they're winless when Macklin Celebrini doesn't score a point. We're nitpicking here because it's been quite fun watching them, and if the Sharks finish the season at .500, I'd call that a win. 

18. Montreal Canadiens (15-11-3, -12. PR: 20)

Some Bronx cheers for Sam Montembeault in a 6-1 loss to the Lightning Tuesday night, though Jakub Dobes didn't fare much better. Any time the Habs look like they're going on a run, they just seem to crash. After a brilliant 8-3-0 in October, they won just once in regulation over their next nine games. After a strong bounce-back game against the Leafs following an 8-4 loss to the Caps, the Habs won two more games before going 2-4-0 with zero regulation wins. Good news: the Habs called up Jacob Fowler. 

19. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-11-4, +4. PR: 23)

Things looked so dire when the Leafs were 9-10-3 with a 5-2 loss to the rival Habs, but since then, they’re 5-1-1 and getting some excellent goaltending from surprise hero Dennis Hildeby. They're on a scoring binge with 19 goals in five games, though I do want to point out I don't think Auston Matthews gets enough credit for his two-way game.

20. Ottawa Senators (13-12-4, -6. PR: 12)

A horrendous 1-6-1 run has dropped the Sens to the bottom of the East, saved only by the Sabres. They don't score enough goals, and Linus Ullmark is having a tough season once again. Kinda weird that this is happening with Brady Tkachuk back in the lineup, but you can't pin the lack of goals at even strength and back-breaking giveaways in their own zone on him alone. 

21. Chicago Blackhawks (12-11-6, -5. PR: 16)

Connor Bedard is still performing at a high level as the Olympic selection deadline approaches. It's one thing to go through growing pains, but it's slightly concerning the Hawks are getting blown out lately with back-to-back losses where they were outscored 13-1. 

22. Edmonton Oilers (13-11-6, -7. PR: 27)

Just a sad state of affairs in the West when the Oilers can go 4-4-2 and still hold down a wild-card spot. They were a little lucky to get one point out of the Sabres when Connor McDavid tied it with one second remaining, but it's really unsustainable to count on him to win every game by himself. I still can't believe the Oilers brass have the wherewithal to look at this team and say, "Yup, we're good, no need to make any moves yet." 

23. Florida Panthers (14-12-2, -2. PR: 25)

The smart money is still probably on the Panthers to make the playoffs – they're only four points out – but you can see the concern after a four-game winless streak and needing the Verhaeghe-Bennett-Marchand line to go off just to avoid a multi-goal loss to the Jackets. 

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-11-6, -12. PR: 24)

Considering how many leads they've blown this season and their general inability to close out games, the Jackets are actually one of six teams that have yet to lose a game after holding a lead after the first or second periods… in regulation. The kicker is the Jackets are the league leaders in overtime losses when leading after the second period, so they're constantly allowing teams to earn a point by forcing overtime and then giving away the extra point by losing. They're just constantly throwing away points, especially to conference opponents, such as the Leafs and Panthers. 

25. Seattle Kraken (11-10-6, -16. PR: 18)

There was hope, but as I noted in previous rankings when readers kept pointing out I ranked the Kraken too low, their lack of regulation wins and elite players are legitimate causes for concern. They're 0-5-1 and cannot seem to score or keep pucks out of their net. 

26. Winnipeg Jets (14-14-1, -1. PR: 19)

It's really not looking good for the Jets sans Connor Hellebuyck, going 3-6-1 since he last started. Only two teams have been worse during that span: the Canucks and Kraken, which are both 2-6-1. Scott Arniel can mix up the lines all he wants, but what they need – desperately – is Hellebuyck to return before it's too late.

Should The Winnipeg Jets Regret Signing Jonathan Toews?There's still time for Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets to turn their season around, but the team made two mistakes with him, and signing him is not one of them.

27. Nashville Predators (11-14-4, -25. PR: 30)

That's now five wins in seven games, including a thriller against league-leading Avs. Did Preds GM Barry Trotz's biting criticism of his team work? A poor start against the Canes aside, Juuse Saros has won four of his past five with a .938 SP. 

28. Calgary Flames (12-15-4, -13. PR: 31)

The wolfpack is back. After a tough 2-9-2 start to the season, Dustin Wolf and the Flames have now won three straight and seven of their past 10, with the only real inexcusable loss coming in Nashville. However, it's times like these where we ask ourselves if winning right now is in the Flames' best long-term interests…

29. St. Louis Blues (11-13-7, -30. PR: 28)

Winning four of their past seven is certainly an improvement, and it's keeping their bleak playoff hopes alive. But I think what's really going to dominate the discussion with the Blues in the coming weeks is how Jordan Binnington, currently one of the league's worst goalies, will be the starter for the defending 4 Nations champion and gold medal favorites at the Olympics. 

30. Utah Mammoth (14-14-3, +3. PR: 29)

Losing Logan Cooley is a massive blow for a Mammoth team that has long yearned for a true No. 1 center. Their woes started a while ago, however, with a 6-11-3 record since Nov. 1. It will be difficult to make the playoffs without a reliable center, even with all the talent that they have.

31. Buffalo Sabres (12-14-4, -14. PR: 26)

The Sabres won in overtime to snap a three-game losing streak, but it still doesn’t feel great considering they nearly blew a 3-0 lead against the Oilers. Lackluster play, lack of improvement from their young core, general inconsistency and a bungled three-goalie rotation will quickly knock the Sabres out of the playoff race if they don't do something soon. 

32. Vancouver Canucks (11-16-3, -23. PR: 32)

A surprising 4-2 win against the Wild brought some reprieve, but this is a team that's hurtling toward another massive turning point for the franchise, and not in a good way. Trade talk concerning captain Quinn Hughes seems to have hit a fever pitch. The question now is whether the Canucks address this situation now and avoid going through further turmoil like they did last season, or if they keep waiting and hope things work out. (A strategy, by the way, that hasn't worked out for them on numerous occasions). The return of Thatcher Demko buys some time, but the clock is still ticking. 

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Vancouver Canucks have dominated the NHL rumor mill in recent days.

Most of the speculation is focused on the future of Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. The 26-year-old superstar defenseman has a year left on his contract, leading pundits to ponder what might happen if he doesn't sign an extension next summer.

Some believe the Canucks could trade Hughes, suggesting the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings as potential trade destinations.

Over the weekend, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman raised a stir when he said the Devils had contacted the Canucks about Hughes. However, he stressed there was nothing imminent and wasn't sure how far those discussions went.

On Monday, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Canucks received calls from rival clubs after they recently circulated a memo indicating their willingness to entertain trade offers for their pending UFAs. He said that some teams, such as the Devils, also inquired about the Canucks' non-UFA players like Hughes but indicated that things didn't get much further than that.

Dreger's colleague, Chris Johnston, said the Canucks didn't want to trade Hughes, but he thinks the club's struggles this season could make it difficult for the former Norris Trophy winner to stay. Johnston felt there was still time for the Canucks to save their season, but that meant trying to boost their roster instead of selling.

Pierre LeBrun suggested the Canucks could face deciding whether to peddle Hughes at the March 6 trade deadline, retain him for the summer and try to re-sign him or trade him during the draft in June. He felt it would be cleaner to move Hughes in March, as it wouldn't involve the defenseman's camp getting involved in determining his destinations.

Meanwhile, Friedman said on Monday the Red Wings also spoke to the Canucks about Hughes. He didn't get into specifics, but felt that a deal could be had if both sides wanted it.

Quinn Hughes Breaks Silence on Rumors Linking Him to the Red WingsVancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes is well aware of the rumors that are linking him to his hometown Detroit Red Wings.

Another Canuck featuring prominently in the rumor mill is Kiefer Sherwood. The feisty 30-year-old winger is UFA-eligible in July and carries a very affordable $1.5-million cap hit.

Given the limited talent currently available in the trade market, Sherwood is drawing plenty of interest. He's been linked to the Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers.

Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic reported Monday that the Wild had "significant interest" in Sherwood, offering up a good young prospect. However, the Canucks reportedly raised their asking price to a good roster player and a first-round pick.

The Canucks reportedly remain interested in Wild center Marco Rossi. However, Russo and Smith don't see them parting with Rossi for Sherwood.

Friedman also mentioned Sherwood during his Monday podcast, claiming the Canucks asked the Flyers about right winger Owen Tippett. However, the Flyers aren't interested in parting with the 26-year-old, as they still believe he can take his game to another level.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Bobby McMann will miss Thursday's game after being suspended.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety handed McMann a one-game suspension for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand on Monday. He'll forfeit $7,031.25 of salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

McMann originally received a match penalty with 17 minutes left in regulation. A match penalty goes to a player who deliberately attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent in any manner, according to the NHL rulebook. The player is automatically suspended until the league rules on the issue.

"McMann lifts his stick over his head to move it away from an approaching linesperson," said NHL Player Safety's video explanation. "After being shoved by Bjorkstrand, McMann brings the raised stick downward toward Bjorkstrand from a dangerous height, striking him in the head with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline."

The 29-year-old McMann was in full control of his stick and body at all times during the play, and he must show more control to ensure he doesn't strike the opponent's head when he brings down his stick, the department said.

"That's a tough one. It really is," Leafs coach Craig Berube told reporters post-game. "I mean, I got to look at it more closely, which I didn't."

Bobby McMann has been suspended for one game for high-sticking Oliver Bjorkstrand. pic.twitter.com/85puwPxd6g

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 9, 2025

Bjorkstrand played three shifts after the incident in Tampa Bay's 2-0 loss to Toronto and was back in action on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens.

This was the first instance of supplemental discipline for McMann in his 169-game NHL career. He has 43 career goals and 73 points, as well as three points in 13 playoff games.

This season, the undrafted right winger has eight goals and six assists for 14 points in 29 games.

His 30th game will have to wait until after Thursday's matchup against the San Jose Sharks. The Leafs are 18th in the NHL standings heading into Tuesday's action with 32 points, while the Sharks aren't far behind, with 31.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The NHL's Hart Trophy front-runners display elite consistency just over one-third of the season.

Of the five players on The Hockey News' previous Hart Trophy rankings on Nov. 13, four remain on the list. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid finds his way back into the conversation after recording a hat trick against the Seattle Kraken on Dec. 4 and nine points in his last five games.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who fell off this month's ranking, still has a strong case of winning the Hart Trophy, with 35 points in 29 games as a defenseman. But his teammate his playing so well right now that it's tough to justify picking Makar as the most valuable player to his team.

The Professional Hockey Writers Association will have the final say after the regular season on who is "the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team," but this would be my ballot if voting happened now.

5. Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals

Logan Thompson is likely the best goaltender in the NHL today. In 21 games this season, the 28-year-old has a 1.96 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.

Among all goalies who have made at least 10 appearances, only the Minnesota Wild's Jesper Wallstedt has a better save percentage and goals-against average, but he's played in 10 fewer contests than Thompson.

Thompson has been especially hot in his last six starts. He has five wins and one overtime loss and averaged a .955 SP and 1.32 GAA.

It's not like the Capitals' netminder hasn't faced plenty of shots either. On Friday, Dec. 5, he faced 38 shots, and in his last game on Sunday, Dec. 7, he recorded a 39-save shutout.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 176.00/+17500

4. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

McDavid had a slow start to the season by his standards, but he's still third in league scoring with 42 points in 29 games.

At the end of October, McDavid was tied for 19th in league scoring. But since then, he's averaged 1.65 points per game, nearly half a point more than his scoring rate in October.

Not only does McDavid lead the Oilers in points with five more than Leon Draisaitl, but his 28 assists are tied for the most in the NHL as well.

Edmonton finds itself back in the playoff picture after being on the outside of the mix from Nov. 16 to Dec. 5. As they hold on to the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference and continue to lack consistent goaltending, McDavid will be a significant factor in his team making the post-season as usual.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 3.80/+280

Oilers' Connor McDavid Responds To His Lack Of Shooting In A Big WayEdmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid called himself out for passing instead of shooting on scoring chances last week. The way he responded in the following two games made a significant difference.

3. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard has been a consistent performer for the Chicago Blackhawks, and he's pushed his team into a playoff spot at times this season.

Now, the Blackhawks are just one point out of a playoff spot, with a game in hand on the San Jose Sharks, which sit in the West's second wild-card spot.

Chicago's playoff hopes are in the hands of 20-year-old Bedard, who's carried the weight of the team's offense, recording 15 more points than second-place Tyler Bertuzzi.

Bedard leads the team in goals, assists, points, plus-minus, game-winning goals and more. He's truly been a valuable piece to the Blackhawks, recording 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points this year. He's factored into about 47 percent of the team's 86 goals.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 21.00/+2000

2. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks

Like Bedard, Macklin Celebrini has been able to maintain his excellent scoring pace from the start of the season. In 30 contests, the 19-year-old has 15 goals and 43 points, which has him second in league scoring.

Celebrini's factored into just over half of the San Jose Sharks' 85 goals. He leads his team in goals, assists, points, plus-minus, overtime goals, power-play goals and more.

The sophomore center has 15 more points than second-place Will Smith, who has 28. Celebrini equals Smith's point total in assists alone. He's tied with McDavid for the league lead in that category.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 23.00/+2200

1. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Nathan MacKinnon sits at the top of this list. 

The Avalanche superstar center is the front-runner for the Rocket Richard Trophy as he leads the league in goals with 24. He also leads the way in the Art Ross Trophy race, sitting on top of the NHL with 49 points, six more than Celebrini.

While the Avalanche have several stars, such as defenseman Cale Makar and right winger Martin Necas, there's no doubt that MacKinnon is the driving force of the team's incredible 21-2-6 record.

MacKinnon also dominates the NHL in the plus-minus department with a plus-35 rating. The closest player to him outside of the Avalanche's roster is Capitals D-man Jakob Chychrun at plus-24.

He's proven to be an extremely valuable piece to the Avs, being on the right side of the puck almost all the time. He's a big reason why the Avalanche are undisputedly the best team in the NHL.

BetMGM Hart Trophy odds: 1.48/-210

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Wraparound has a new batch of rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics.

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Frank Zawrazky discussed in this episode:

0:00: What's been the most concerning part of the New Jersey Devils' recent slump?

4:13: Could Nashville Predators forwards Ryan O'Reilly or Steven Stamkos be a smart fit for the New Jersey Devils?

7:15: What teams would make sense as potential suitors for Phillip Danault?

10:55: Would Tristan Jarry help fix the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending woes?

15:12: Which Canadian with NHL experience will have the biggest impact at the world juniors this year?

18:25: Breaking down potential standouts from the NCAA at the upcoming world juniors

21:40: Which direction will the Seattle Kraken go in throughout the rest of the season?

25:04: Is this a redeemable season for the Buffalo Sabres?

Can The Buffalo Sabres Redeem Their Season? by The Wraparound

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

The Dallas Stars suffered a blow to their forward lines last week when Tyler Seguin suffered an ACL injury against the New York Rangers. On Saturday, they placed the 33-year-old forward on long-term injury reserve.

According to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News, that move provides the cap-strapped Stars with some salary-cap relief, but not the full $9.85 million of his average annual value. Due to recent changes in LTIR rules, the benefit is limited to last season's average annual salary of $3.8 million.

That's because the Stars don't know yet how long Seguin will be sidelined. If he can return later in the regular season or during the playoffs, then they only get the $3.8 million in LTIR relief.

However, if it's determined that Seguin's recovery period will stretch beyond the post-season, they can move him to season-ending LTIR (SELTIR) status, which would then enable them to receive cap relief up to his $9.85 million cap hit.

If Seguin goes on SELTIR, TSN's Chris Johnston believes they will aggressively search the trade market for a replacement. He indicated that the Stars were among the clubs linked to Vancouver Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood.

The feisty 30-year-old Sherwood plays a different style than Seguin, but his physical game is suited for the grind of post-season hockey. He also carries an affordable $1.5-million cap hit for this season.

RG.org's James Murphy stated the Stars were among the clubs interested in Calgary Flames winger Blake Coleman. The 34-year-old is signed through next season with an average annual value of $4.9 million and a 10-team no-trade list.

Turning to the Los Angeles Kings, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported Saturday that Phillip Danault has been the subject of growing trade chatter.

Danault, 32, is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.5 million. He also has a 10-team no-trade list.

Seravalli said the thin market for centers this season has multiple teams inquiring into Danault's availability. He's seen third-line duty this season with the Kings.

Danault has a well-deserved reputation as a solid two-way center, especially when he helped the Montreal Canadiens reach the 2021 Stanley Cup final. He had a career-high 54 points with the Kings in 2022-23, but his production has declined, with just five points in 29 games this season.

The Kings have struggled recently, which could explain the interest in Danault. However, they're still jockeying for a playoff spot and aren't likely to become sellers unless they tumble out of contention by the March trade deadline.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

TORONTO - Dennis Hildeby earned the first shutout of his NHL career in a 2-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.

The 24-year-old rookie is the interim starter with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz out with injury, and he has come up huge for Toronto in the meantime.

With Hildeby's recent performances, recording a .936 save percentage and a 2.15 goals-against average in nine appearances and five starts, he's giving the Leafs a luxury.

"What I see in that is he's trusting his ability and his size and, you know, staying pretty calm and cool in net," coach Craig Berube said afterward. "His puck play has been good, but overall, his mindset is really good."

With 'The Beast' playing the way he is now, along with Woll and Stolarz waiting to come off the injured reserve, the Maple Leafs could have the beginnings of a three-headed monster in the crease.

While Toronto's tandem hasn't been the most reliable in terms of health, they have tremendous depth at a bargain price. Hildeby earns $841,667 per year for the next three seasons, not to mention that Woll and Stolarz together earn less than a combined $7-million cap hit this season and less than $7.5 million next year.

With the Leafs owning three valuable goaltenders, should GM Brad Treliving consider trading one of them?

It's still relatively early in Hildeby's NHL career, but the Swedish netminder has been there when the Leafs needed him most in a limited sample size.

Plenty of teams around the NHL would love to have additional help between the pipes. Woll and Stolarz are exceptional goaltenders in their own right, even with their injuries.

A team like the Edmonton Oilers, which has been searching for a goalie at a low price, could be attracted to one of Toronto's netminders and would be willing to give up assets for help in net.

What that return for the Maple Leafs could be is uncertain, but depending on Woll and Stolarz's individual play, some clubs would be willing to throw a first-round pick for their services on their current contracts.

Stolarz, 31, has a 16-team no-trade clause on his contract for this year and the next, making $2.5 million against the cap this season, which jumps up to $3.75 million for the following three.

As for Woll, he earns about $3.67 million per season, and that deal lasts through the 2027-28 campaign. In addition, the 27-year-old has an eight-team no-trade list in the final year of his contract.

Sure, a first-round pick or prospects aren't helpful for a team looking to win now, but those future assets attract teams near the bottom of the standings who are looking to sell.

Toronto doesn't have a first-round pick until 2028 and is pretty thin in its prospect pool, too. So moving out a goaltender is a risk, but it provides an opportunity for Treliving to look for a way to bolster his roster toward the NHL trade deadline.

If teams are desperate enough for a goaltender, and the Leafs have three solid ones, it's not a terrible idea to see what could be received in return. Making a deal to move out a goaltender isn't about clearing cap space; it's about nabbing other resources that could be used to make some notable additions.

At the moment, Toronto has over $4 million in salary cap space. Moving off of either Woll or Stolarz could bring that up around the $7-million mark, leaving plenty of room for Treliving to work his magic.

In the meantime, Hildeby will look to build on a solid start to his NHL career. Every strong outing by Hildeby from this point onward will be a huge help to the Leafs – and also a pleasant problem if he's proven he's too good to head back to the minors.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond.

Here's what ex-NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Michael Traikos and Andrew McInnis, discussed:

2:00: Connor McDavid scored a hat trick last week and has recorded a combined 12 shots in his past two games. Do you like his game when he shoots more? Is he more valuable as a playmaker or a scorer?

4:30: From Dubnyk's perspective, is McDavid underrated as a shooter? 

6:55: Have the Oilers finally found their game?

8:05: Are too many of the losses from the Oilers blamed on the goaltending? 

11:30: The Jets have now lost seven of their last nine games. Can the Jets do enough to put themselves in a playoff spot until Hellebuyck can return? Who must step up?

18:00: The Utah Mammoth sit fourth in the Central Division and in a second wild-card spot. Does this team have enough to stay in the mix with Logan Cooley out indefinitely? And who will finish higher in the standings: the Chicago Blackhawks or Utah Mammoth? 

22:37: The Washington Capitals will be without their rookie winger, Ryan Leonard, after taking a massive blow from Jacob Trouba. Thoughts about the hit?

28:03: Are players noticing that Trouba didn't fight with Tom Wilson? Is it a respect issue? 

30:20: Quinn Hughes said he's aware that "things like" having his name in trade talks between the Canucks and Devils could happen. But he added that if there was a call, he wasn't involved in it. How likely is it that Hughes will be on the Canucks by next fall?

32:34: Do the Devils start working on a trade package to get Quinn Hughes? 

35:06: Which center would you pick to build your franchise around: Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard or Leo Carlsson?

37:03: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

39:22: The Winnipeg Jets host the 2026 Heritage Classic against the Canadiens. The Jets took to X and asked fans for jersey help. What jersey should the Jets wear? 

40:36: What is Dubnyk's favorite moment from the outdoor game he played in? 

42:54: Favorite Heritage Classic matchup? 

Dissecting The Oilers' Mini Hot Streak by The Big Show

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

The Vancouver Canucks placed defenseman Jett Woo on NHL waivers Monday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. 

Woo being placed on waivers means he is ready to begin his 2025-26 season. The right-shot defenseman has been sidelined for all of this campaign after undergoing surgery during the off-season to address an upper-body injury.

Teams looking for more defensive depth could consider taking a chance on Woo, who's on a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL and $290,000 in the minors. But if the 25-year-old passes through waivers unclaimed, the Canucks can assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.

Woo was selected by the Pacific Division club in the second round of the 2018 NHL draft with the 37th overall pick. Despite being part of the organization for eight seasons now, he has yet to make his NHL debut.

While Woo has yet to play for Vancouver, he has a lot of experience at the AHL level. In 267 career games over five seasons, he has 21 goals, 62 assists, 83 points, 332 penalty minutes and a plus-32 rating.

Last season as an alternate captain in Abbotsford, Woo posted two goals, 16 assists, 18 points, 90 penalty minutes and a plus-14 rating. He also recorded one goal and six points in 22 playoff games for Abbotsford during their Calder Cup championship run this past spring.

A player cannot be placed on NHL waivers or bought out while they are injured. They could be traded, but in this instance, Abbotsford may want the help. They sit last in the Pacific Division with a 5-15-4 record in 24 games, allowing a league-high 93 goals against.

As for the NHL squad, the Canucks have Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers and Tom Willander, who scored his first NHL goal on Saturday, on the right side of the blueline.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.