The officials handed Kelly a five-minute major for boarding. Murphy gave a thumbs-up as he was being taken off.
Murphy entered Saturday's matchup ranking second on the Blackhawks in average ice time at 22:08. The soon-to-be 29-year-old has played all but three of Chicago's games this season, posting four goals and six assists.
Kelly was playing just his 26th NHL game and his 25th in 2021-22. The 22-year-old has split the campaign between the Senators and their AHL affiliate in Belleville.
Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson later left Saturday's contest to enter concussion protocol. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews also took several punches to the head in a fight with Zach Sanford in the first period, not long after the veteran center missed more than a month with a concussion of his own. However, he appeared no worse for wear when he scored twice in under two minutes at the start of the second frame.
The Oilers activated Archibald from long-term injured reserve and removed Barrie from injured reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Archibald has yet to play this season due to myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, after contracting COVID-19. Oilers general manager Ken Holland confirmed in September that Archibald was unvaccinated.
"I think (Archibald) can help our team win a game here," head coach Jay Woodcroft said Saturday, according to The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman. "That's what we're all about."
Woodcroft told reporters Archibald currently can't play games outside of Alberta because of his vaccination status and would have to drive to play the Flames in Calgary.
Barrie, meanwhile, suffered an upper-body injury against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 3 and has missed the Oilers' last three games.
Francouz has done an admirable job this season after missing the first 24 games on injured reserve. He owns a .920 save percentage and 2.46 goals against average to go along with a sterling 10-3-1 record.
The 31-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
"Pavel is an important component to our goaltending tandem and someone we have full trust in to be a key piece of our team going forward," general manager Joe Sakic said in a statement. "He has showed tremendous perseverance and dedication in overcoming the challenges and injuries he has faced."
Francouz missed the entirety of the 2020-21 campaign after undergoing double-hip surgery.
He has spent his entire 50-game NHL career as a member of the Avalanche and has a career save percentage of .923.
Bednar said the team is "hoping" to have the forward back for the beginning of the playoffs, but his availability won't be clear until after the surgery. The ailment is not ACL-related.
"Hopefully, he'll be available for us for the stretch line, but he's going to miss some time," he said. "It's something going on with his knee that's been bothering him for a while. It was getting worse."
Landeskog, 29, leads all Avalanche skaters with 30 goals in 51 games this season. Girard, 23, ranks third among Colorado blue-liners with 27 points in 56 contests.
Here's how the Avalanche's lineup looked without the duo during Saturday's practice:
A back injury has sidelined Edmundson dating back to training camp. Before the regular season began, he was initially expected to miss two-to-three weeks, but significant setbacks delayed his return.
The 28-year-old potted three goals and 10 assists in 55 contests last season while averaging 20 minutes of ice time. He led the team with 75 blocks and was second among Canadiens defensemen with 98 hits.
Edmundson was an important piece during the Habs' run to the Stanley Cup Final, logging over 23 minutes per contest and tallying six helpers over 22 games.
The Canadiens announced a slew of other injury updates as well:
#Habs injury updates: Price will skate this afternoon and is making progress but there is no return date as yet for when he will practise with his teammates. Dvorak: day-to-day, cleared for limited contact Drouin: no return date yet Allen: will not play this weekend.@TSN_Edge
Meanwhile, goaltender Andrew Hammond has a lower-body injury, and there's no timetable for his return. Defenseman David Savard is continuing to rehab his ankle injury.
The Canadiens have enjoyed a turnaround under interim head coach Martin St. Louis but currently sit in the basement of the Atlantic Division with a record of 15-35-7.
Puck drops on Edmundson's season debut at 7 p.m. ET.
HAMILTON, Ont. - The sky is dark gray. The temperature is hovering above freezing. Snow is falling in flakes the size of a nickel. An ice surfacer is doing laps while crew members shovel mounds of snow off the NHL-sized sheet.
It's shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, and this is the scene at field level at Tim Hortons Field, the venue for Sunday's outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres. Snow removal is likely to continue past midnight.
"We've got snow until, I think, 1 a.m. The guys will just keep doing this," Derek King, one of the league's head ice makers, says as he surveys the commotion around him. "We started at 10 o'clock this morning and haven't stopped."
Tim Hortons Field at night on March 9 Dave Sandford / Getty Images
Technically a Sabres home game, the 2022 Heritage Classic is being staged 63 miles north of Buffalo's KeyBank Center and 43 miles south of Toronto's Scotiabank Arena. The pro football stadium, situated in a residential area in the east end of Hamilton, will welcome roughly 25,000 people through its gates on Sunday. Smokestacks from nearby steel factories fill the skyline, and the original Tim Hortons restaurant - whose co-founder and namesake played for the Leafs and Sabres during a Hall of Fame career - is a short walk away.
Two Mondays ago, a 53-foot, 300-ton capacity mobile refrigeration unit and rink system was parked outside the stadium to signal the start of the build-out process. By week's end, boards were standing and ice-making had officially begun. On Wednesday, lines and logos were painted, and on Thursday, the glass was installed while the ice got topped up with its last quarter of an inch.
This is the NHL's third and final outdoor game of the season and 35th since 2003. Each passing event serves as an education for future events. And up until recently, only one man had been at the controls. Known for 24 years as the league's leading "ice man," Dan Craig retired - or "graduated," as he put it - this past November. His legacy on the sport will be on full display Sunday.
"These events, and the success of these events, and the quality of the ice in our 32 rinks, have Dan's prints all over them. And they will as long as we're doing them," says Kris King, senior VP of hockey operations for the NHL.
Mike Craig of the NHL in Hamilton on March 10 Dave Sandford / Getty Images
Mike Craig (Dan's son) and Derek King (no relation to Kris) have taken over as head ice men. Engineers by trade, both are longtime league employees who go by the title of senior manager of facilities ops and hockey ops. Mike Craig, who's based out of Kelowna, B.C., has worked in chilly hockey arenas his entire adult life, while Derek King, of Winnipeg, entered the workforce as a paramedic before switching to ice making in the early 2000s.
"Dan was always a hands-on guy, and we tried hard to get him to spread the wealth," Kris King says. "'Dan, you don't have to be here for 24 hours a day. Trust the guys. You've taught them well.' Near the end, he finally figured it out."
While their mentor is a phone call away, the Heritage Classic is Mike Craig and Derek King's show, and the objective is to produce the finest ice possible for the players. They lead a veteran crew of workers that's encountered basically everything imaginable over the years, from freezing rain, high winds, and dense fog to warm temperatures, high humidity, and bright sunshine.
According to The Weather Network forecast, the temperature at 4 p.m. puck drop should be 30 F, with a cloudy sky, 16 miles-per-hour wind, and a 40% chance of snow. Relatively speaking, those are decent conditions for an outdoor game.
"There's no such thing as a perfect event," Mike Craig says, reciting a common joke among the group. Mother Nature always finds a way to alter best-laid plans, which isn't particularly enjoyable in the moment, but it results in a sense of great satisfaction when the event's nearing the finish line. "They all have their challenges," he adds, "and they all have their pretty cool moments."
Workers lay down the rink's base on March 2 Dave Sandford / Getty Images
Aside from one rainy day, the weather gods have largely cooperated with the league's itinerary for Hamilton. Rain can be a killer, especially in warmer climates. Just a couple of weeks ago, ahead of the Stadium Series game in Tennessee, stress levels rose when a lengthy storm ran through Nashville.
"We had 73-degree weather with 16 hours of straight rain," Kris King says. "We couldn't freeze the water fast enough." The rink lost an inch and a quarter of ice, and it's supposed to be two inches thick on game day. However, since the crew had anticipated the ugly stretch of weather and started the build-out a few days earlier than normal, the ice was salvageable.
The league had learned its lesson from the 2020 Winter Classic in Dallas, where crap really hit the fan thanks to a cocktail of relentless rainfall, warm temperatures, and high humidity. It got so bad they had to temporarily remove a section of the end boards so workers could squeegee water more efficiently.
"We lost everything in Dallas. We lost the lines and logos. We lost the white paint ... everything," Derek King says. Once the storm passed and the refrigeration unit started stabilizing the rink temperature again, the build was back on track. "We had three days to get the sheet back, thankfully," he adds.
The head ice men have multiple weather apps on their smartphones, as well as a special ice monitoring app called Eye On The Ice. This 24/7 surveillance of the venue is crucial no matter the air temperature. For instance, during the build-out for the 2011 Heritage Classic, the temperature in Calgary hit minus-31 F, yet "our ice is melting because it was so sunny out," Kris King laments.
A worker assembles a railing on March 8 Dave Sandford / Getty Images
At ice level Friday evening, Derek King, dressed for the elements with a thick winter jacket and a baseball cap emblazoned with the NHL crest, brings up the 2018 Stadium Series game between the Leafs and Washington Capitals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. That windy experience in Annapolis, Maryland, will inform how he and Mike Craig handle this weekend in Hamilton.
"We had to remove all of the glass the day before game day," Derek King recalls of the 2018 adventure. "The whole site got shut down because of how strong the winds were. We're looking at something similar for tomorrow."
If the wind is having a material impact on the game, Kris King says, the Leafs and Sabres will switch sides halfway through the third period. Both teams will spend 10 minutes each with the wind at their backs and in their faces.
On top of the outdoor events, the head ice men are responsible for ice standards across the league, as well as rinks used for special programming like showcase games in Europe and the Hockeyville exhibition series. They're on the road for long stretches, with Derek King, for example, leaving Winnipeg on Feb. 12 to head the Nashville event and returning home on March 20.
"It's a work family, for sure," he says. On cue, Kris King enters his field of view and starts poking the bottom of the sideboards with an ice-chipping tool. "We even have the boss working," Derek King says, letting out a hearty laugh.
Mike Craig, son of the original ice man, knows it's important to soak up the uniqueness of the gig. "At some point, even just during the game or on the practice day, whatever it is, just to take a few minutes to realize how special it is and how cool of an opportunity it is to do these kinds of events," he says.
John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).
We saw four Canadian teams make the playoffs last year thanks to the North Division, but this season looks like it might be a different story. As it stands, Calgary and Toronto are the only two teams well on the way to the postseason. Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver are currently on the outside looking in, while Ottawa and Montreal have been out of it for awhile.
Despite the varying differences in the standings between all seven Canadian clubs, each one should be active in one way or another at the trade deadline. Let's take a look at how each team should approach this year's deadline as March 21 approaches.
Calgary Flames: Trust what you got
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Deadline cap space: $870,000
The Flames already made a big splash on the trade market by bringing in Tyler Toffoli well ahead of the deadline. As a result, the team now boasts one of the league's deepest group of forwards. Add to that an elite goaltender and a competent blue line, and you find yourselves with one of the toughest teams in the NHL to play against.
Calgary has little cap space at their disposal and a depleted set of draft picks. They managed to nab Toffoli without giving up one of their top prospects, which was some tidy work by GM Brad Treliving. At this point, Calgary needs to stand pat and trust what they've put together. Since Feb. 1, the Flames have won 14 of 17 games; the team is clicking on all cylinders and will be a nightmare to face in the playoffs. Perhaps the club opts to add a depth defenseman or forward for cheap, but it wouldn't be at all surprising if they're quiet.
Edmonton Oilers: Trade for a goalie
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Deadline cap space: $591,000
Enough is enough in Edmonton. The club went into the year entrusting Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen in net - it hasn't worked out. The soon-to-be 40-year-old Smith has been on and off IR all year, and when he's played, he hasn't been great. Koskinen has gotten the bulk of the starts as a result but has only managed a .904 save percentage and -4.46 goals saved above average. He's played well as of late, but if the Oilers want to go deep in the playoffs, he can't be the one in the crease. The Oilers are the 12th-best team in the league with 3.21 goals scored per game but are the 11th-worst with 3.21 goals allowed per game. A fix in net could go a long way.
There are a number of options on the goalie market, with Marc-Andre Fleury far and away the best option out there. He's proven on numerous occasions he has what it takes to guide a team to the Stanley Cup Final, and can provide Edmonton the stability they desperately need. It hasn't been confirmed whether or not he would accept a trade out of Chicago, but the asking price will probably be hefty. If he were to allow a trade, Edmonton should be all over him. Otherwise, the Oilers might look for an upgrade with Joonas Korpisalo, Braden Holtby, or Jaroslav Halak.
Montreal Canadiens: Sell, sell, sell
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Deadline cap space: $7.7 million
The Canadiens have teetered between being a buyer and seller at the deadline over the last decade, but this is the first year in a long time where a true fire sale could go down. Ben Chiarot is almost certainly going to get dealt, but the team has a handful of other players who could presumably find new homes.
Artturi Lehkonen, Brett Kulak, Cedric Paquette, Mathieu Perreault, and Chris Wideman are all on expiring deals and could be moved. Montreal's big-ticket names like Jeff Petry and Brendan Gallagher will likely only get moved in the summer - if they get dealt at all. Montreal has been playing great hockey under new head coach Martin St. Louis, so perhaps that will deter the team from selling cornerstone veterans and rebuilding. Kent Hughes' and Jeff Gorton's phone will surely be ringing off the hook for plenty of players on their roster. They're not in a position to sell low on anybody at this point, but if the right deal comes along, there should be no hesitation to accept as they usher in a new era in Montreal.
Ottawa Senators: Use cap space
NHL Images / National Hockey League / Getty
Deadline cap space: $55 million
The Senators don't have a ton of assets to sell at this year's deadline. Michael Del Zotto and Tyler Ennis could fetch mediocre returns; Nick Paul, Erik Brannstrom, and Chris Tierney, who could still be a part of the team's future, aren't locks to be moved. What the Senators do have, though, is a massive amount of cap space that can be used to their advantage.
Contenders all around the league are pressed right up against the cap and will be desperate to shed some salary in order to bulk up for the playoffs. The Senators could be big winners if they help facilitate trades either by taking on contracts or by simply retaining salary as a third party. The club has a great foundation of young studs and is inching closer to contention, but they're just not there yet. Eugene Melnyk and Pierre Dorion need to capitalize on stockpiling assets if they don't want to be in this position next year.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Bolster blue line
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Deadline cap space: $3.7 million
The Maple Leafs could go a number of ways at the deadline this year, but all signs point toward the club bringing in a defenseman to reinforce their middling defensive group. Sheldon Keefe and Kyle Dubas have both indicated their faith in Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek, so it seems unlikely the team will add a goaltender. Perhaps Campbell's minor injury changes things, but he's still their guy come playoff time assuming he's healthy. The team's forward group is deep and dangerous and doesn't need much tinkering, scoring 3.71 goals per game - fourth-best in the NHL.
Toronto needs to address its defensive issues and bring in a solid blue-liner. Things are trending toward Jake Muzzin returning to the lineup before the playoffs, which is a great sign. But still, handing big minutes to Travis Dermott and Justin Holl isn't going to fly in the postseason. Dubas has said he isn't big on the idea of bringing in a rental player this year, but there are a number of defensemen on expiring contracts that the club can easily acquire and perhaps for a cheap price. Veteran blue-liners Justin Braun, Luke Schenn, Damon Severson, or Ben Chiarot could fit the bill and provide the Leafs with some much-needed help.
Vancouver Canucks: Don't make a panic move
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
Deadline cap space: $2.4 million
The Canucks might have a slim chance to make the playoffs at this point, but that doesn't mean they should be big sellers. Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller have been floated around in the rumor mill over the last few months, but parting ways with either player at this point might end up being a huge mistake.
Miller has proven himself since landing in Vancouver, and with one more year on his contract, there's not much of a reason to sell yet. He could still be in line for an extension, so there's no real rush to trade him, and he's been one of the team's best, most consistent players. Splitting with the 25-year-old Boeser wouldn't be wise unless the return is massive. Despite having a bit of a down year, he's still on pace for an impressive 27 goals while ranking third on the team with a 58.39 expected goals for percentage.
The beginning of the season was a nightmare in Vancouver, but things are looking brighter. With new management, a new coach, and the team heading in the right direction, there isn't an urgent need to offload one of the team's stars. If a team makes an offer they can't refuse, then it's a different story. But there's no need to make a trade at this point just for the sake of shaking things up.
Winnipeg Jets: Trade Andrew Copp
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty
Deadline cap space: $669,000
Similar to the Canucks, the Jets are a great team on paper that simply haven't been able to put it together this season. Many pegged the team as a potential dark horse Stanley Cup contender entering the year. However, even making the playoffs is starting to look out of reach. The Jets have too much talent throughout its lineup to be as bad as they've been, but clearly something isn't clicking. They don't have a ton of rental players to offer on the market, but Copp should garner a ton of interest around the league if he's available.
The versatile forward is exactly the kind of depth player contending teams will be looking to add at the deadline. Similar to forwards Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman, who were big additions at the deadline in the past, he could be the exact bottom-six piece teams need for a much-needed boost. He can play up the middle or on the wing and is on pace for a career-high 50 points this year. Copp should be able to land the Jets a nice package and would allow the team some time to address its bigger underlying issues during the offseason.
Pavelski's contract is worth a base of $5.5 million, plus an additional $500,000 in performance-based incentives. He'll get an additional $100,000 each for 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 games played, according to the Dallas Morning News' Matthew DeFranks.
Pavelski paces his team with 59 points in 56 games this season while leading all Stars forwards in ice time. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after playing out the final season of a three-year, $21-million contract.
The 37-year-old joined Dallas in 2019-20 as a free agent. He made a mark during the Stars' 2020 Stanley Cup Final run, logging 19 points in 27 contests. Pavelski also scored the team's first postseason hat trick since it relocated from Minnesota.
"In his three seasons here, Joe has proven to be one of the strongest, most respected voices in the dressing room, as well as being one of the most consistent performers on the ice," general manager Jim Nill said in a statement.
"He has played at an All-Star level this season, and by signing this deal now, it is a testament to what he sees in this organization and how this organization values what he brings day in and day out."
Pavelski represented Dallas at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game. He's currently scoring at a 1.05 points-per-game clip, which is the highest of his career.
A seventh-round draft pick of the Sharks in 2003, Pavelski spent 13 seasons in San Jose. He has 416 goals and 486 assists in 1,142 career games.
