Jake DeBrusk's agent, Rick Valette, has informed teams they're willing to work on an extension in order to facilitate a trade from the Boston Bruins, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported during Tuesday's "Insider Trading" segment.

The 25-year-old forward is playing out the final season of a two-year deal, which carries a $3.675-million cap hit. He's a pending restricted free agent this offseason and could sign a $4.41-million qualifying offer.

"A lot of teams are concerned about the $4.4-million qualifying offer to retain his rights this summer," LeBrun said. "Maybe (if there's) an extension at a cheaper price, everyone goes home happy."

DeBrusk thrived in the second half of February. He's logged seven goals and two assists in his last five contests, including his first career hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. He managed just seven goals in the first 43 games of the campaign.

The winger's trade request became public in late November, but there's been no movement yet.

"Bottom line is, if he keeps scoring and playing a bigger role, it might help the Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney get better offers than they've had to date," LeBrun said.

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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ryan Ellis hasn't officially been ruled out of the rest of the season, but his chances at slotting back into the lineup aren't looking promising.

"Not much of an update. We're getting to the point in the season where it's looking less and less likely that he'll play, but nothing has been fully determined yet," Flyers interim head coach Mike Yeo told NHL.com's Adam Kimelman on Tuesday.

Ellis was Philadelphia's splashiest acquisition in the offseason. The Flyers sent Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for the veteran's services in July.

The 31-year-old suited up for Philadelphia's first three games of the season and chipped in with one goal and three assists. He then missed the Flyers' next nine games with a lower-body injury and returned to the lineup against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 13, but he hasn't played since after aggravating the ailment.

Ellis' initial return timetable in mid-November was four-to-six weeks. General manager Chuck Fletcher said in February that the team was trying to avoid surgery, per Kimelman.

Yeo added that Ellis hasn't had a substantial skating session recently.

"I don't know if he skated in the last few days. I wouldn't even really call it skating, what he was doing, as far as just kind of ... gliding around," Yeo said. "Certainly not pushing himself to any point where we would think that he's a possibility to return at any point here."

The Flyers are in last place of the Metropolitan Division with a record of 16-26-10.

Ellis is in the third season of an eight-year, $50-million contract.

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NHL player agent Dan Milstein says his Russian-born clients are experiencing harassment and discrimination following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Milstein was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, but immigrated to the United States in 1991 and is now a citizen. He represents 75% of the NHL's Russian and Belarusian players, including superstars such as Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

"The discrimination and racism these Russian and Belarusian players are facing right now is remarkable," Milstein told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. "We're being set back 30 years. I have players calling me, parents calling me. They're concerned whether they'll be able to play, whether they'll be safe."

The NHL released a statement Monday condemning Russia's actions while suspending relationships with business partners in the country. Equipment manufacturer CCM Hockey announced Tuesday it won't be using Russian stars like Alex Ovechkin, among others, in global marketing initiatives going forward.

Milstein said some clients have been harassed on the street, while several have received death threats.

"He was yelled at to, 'Get back to your country,' and was called a Nazi and other words," Milstein said. "Clients are being called Nazis. People are wishing that they are dead. These are human beings. These are hockey players. These are guys contributing to our society, paying millions of dollars in taxes to support the U.S. and Canada, and doing all kinds of charity work back home. Stop looking at them as aggressors. Stop being racist."

He added, "My clients aren't as nervous for themselves. But when they are on the road, and they have a wife and a newborn child at home that are alone, there are major concerns."

Milstein also represents many Russian players in the AHL and junior leagues across North America, whom he says have been subject to harassment as well.

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Predators general manager David Poile is making it clear he wants to keep Filip Forsberg, a pending unrestricted free agent, in Nashville.

"No, I'm not trying to trade Filip Forsberg, I'm trying to sign Filip Forsberg," Poile told 102.5 The Game on Tuesday, according to NHL.com. "It hasn't been done. ... I don't have the crystal ball to say it will get done. Both sides want it to happen, but it hasn't happened now."

Forsberg's name has entered the rumor mill ahead of the March 21 trade deadline as he plays out the final season of a six-year, $36-million contract. A potential extension between the two sides must have an average annual value higher than $8 million but lower than $9.059 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"Obviously, we don't agree where we are, or we would have had a deal done by now," Poile said, per NHL.com. "I think we just continue moving on. He knows that I haven't been shopping him. ... It's out there and you hear it, and then you have to react to it. That's where we are today."

Forsberg, 27, leads all Predators with 27 goals in 40 games this season. He's also recording a career-high 1.13 points per contest for Nashville, which currently holds a playoff spot.

The Swedish star has 430 points in 537 career NHL games, all as a Predator.

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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.

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Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele says he's willing to drop the gloves if Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans seeks out a fight to avenge the controversial hit Scheifele delivered in last year's playoffs.

"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."

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Monday night featured just three games, which meant little value on the board in terms of sides and totals.

We have a much juicer nine-game slate to pick through on Tuesday night. Let's waste no time getting into the best bets.

Devils (+115) @ Blue Jackets (-140)

The Devils own a 4-6-0 record over the last 10 games - but don't let that fool you. By and large, they're playing good hockey.

They have controlled better than 52% of the expected goals at five-on-five, which slots them ahead of teams like the Golden Knights and Hurricanes. They're routinely out-chancing their opponents.

Unsurprisingly, those chances are leading to goals and a lot of them. The Devils have averaged four goals per 60 at five-on-five over the last 10 games. That actually leads the league.

So why has New Jersey lost most of its games over that stretch? Put simply, goaltending. The Devils haven't been able to get a save from anyone but Nico Daws all season. While Daws did start Monday night, I think there's a real chance he goes again in this game. Even if he doesn't, I still see enough for New Jersey to take out this Blue Jackets team.

They can't defend a lick right now. At five-on-five, they rank 29th in expected goals against per 60 over the last 10. That spells trouble against this red-hot New Jersey offense, especially considering the goaltending Columbus has had of late.

Projected starter Elvis Merzlikins owns an .893 save percentage since the calendar flipped to 2022. With the way he's playing right now, the Jackets might not even have a goaltending edge against a Devils team missing its No. 1 and No. 2 netminders.

Back-to-back situation or not, I think the wrong team is favored here.

Bet: Devils (+115)

Oilers (-160) @ Flyers (+135)

The Oilers are a little thinned out right now. With Jesse Puljujarvi, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Kailer Yamamoto all sidelined, they just don't have a lot of depth up front.

Even so, I like Edmonton to rebound with a win in this spot. Its share of the expected goals is 6% higher than the Flyers' over the last 10 games. They should be able to control the run of play.

They should also do real damage on the power play. Edmonton is lethal on the man advantage, and Philadelphia is putrid on the penalty kill. Only the Ducks have conceded shot attempts at a higher rate over the last 10, while no team has given up more power-play goals per 60 minutes than the Flyers.

I expect the Oilers to keep things relatively even at five-on-five - if not win outright - while causing all kinds of problems on the man advantage.

Bet: Oilers in regulation (-110)

Flames (-118) @ Wild (-104)

These teams combined for 10 goals the last time they met, but I think this contest is going to be played a little closer to the vest.

If we isolate the last 10 games, the Flames and Wild are two of the best defensive sides in the NHL. Calgary has conceded fewer expected goals (2.06 per 60) at five-on-five than every team during that period.

The Wild are not far behind. They've given up 2.25 expected goals per 60, which slots them fifth during the same span. Pretty good!

Both teams also rank top-seven in limiting high-danger chances. It's not as if they're limiting total chances, but a lot of what they give up isn't high quality. Teams just aren't creating many great looks against either side.

Now, these teams do possess the firepower necessary to blow any game open, but I don't think the Wild will do that against a potential Vezina finalist in Jacob Markstrom.

While Cam Talbot's recent form is concerning, he has been a quality starter for some time. There's reason to expect more from him moving forward. And, quite frankly, if he struggles, there's enough wiggle room with a 6.5 total that we could still get there.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-108)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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With 18 teams in action, we have a jam-packed NHL schedule to enjoy Tuesday night.

That means there's no shortage of player props to comb through. Let's take a look at a few lines that stand out.

Nikita Kucherov over 3.5 shots (-125)

Until Kucherov's shot line jumps to 4.5 or the odds change drastically, I'll continue backing him to go over the number. His shooting floor has been remarkably consistent since he returned from injury.

The Lightning star has registered at least four shots in 10 of 12 games following his return to the lineup, including four straight on home ice.

Tuesday night brings a home date against the lowly Senators. Ottawa ranks dead last in shot attempts against per 60 minutes this season, and its current form isn't much better. Injuries and illnesses have also thinned an already bad lineup.

Kucherov has a roughly 83% hit rate since being reinserted into the lineup, while this line implies only an approximate 55% chance of Kucherov capitalizing on a fantastic matchup. I'm happy to take my chances.

Pierre-Luc Dubois over 2.5 shots (-143)

The Canadiens have played much better with Martin St. Louis behind the bench. Even so, they're a team we can target, especially through a center of Dubois' caliber.

Dubois is in the midst of one of his best shooting stretches of the season. The Jets forward has registered at least three shots in seven of his last 10 games while averaging 3.4 shots in that stretch.

Montreal, meanwhile, has given up an abundance of shots to centers all season long. In fact, only the Blue Jackets concede more shots per game to the position. All of that makes Dubois very appealing here.

Brendan Gallagher over 2.5 shots (-118)

Gallagher has averaged half a shot per game more on home ice than on the road this season. Despite that, he's a player worth backing as the Canadiens visit Winnipeg.

The Jets are playing horrendous defense right now. They've allowed more than 63 shot attempts against per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the last 10 games - better only than the Sharks and Coyotes.

Winnipeg has also been extremely bad at defending the low slot, ranking bottom five in high-danger chances against per 60 minutes. Gallagher is a gritty, hard-nosed player who generates many of his chances around the net. If the Jets are struggling to defend that area, Gallagher is likely to take advantage.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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