Philadelphia Flyers forward Valtteri Filppula confirmed Thursday in Toronto that he snuffed out a potential trade to the Maple Leafs by exercising the no-trade clause included in his contract signed with his former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"Nothing against Toronto," he said, according to James Mirtle of The Athletic. "Obviously they have a great team and coach."

Filppula was later dealt to the Flyers, a team included on his list of acceptable destinations, for defenseman Mark Streit. He was immediately flipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round draft pick.

There was talk Filppula was uninterested in a reunion with Mike Babcock, who instructed him while he was a member of the Detroit Red Wings.

Filppula dismissed that theory Thursday.

"I heard the stories, but that's not the case," he told Sami Hoffren. "I don't have anything against Toronto"

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Matt Murray unexpectedly backstopped the Pittsburgh Penguins to their fourth Stanley Cup last season - the team's first championship since 2008-09.

The rookie took over between the pipes for Marc-Andre Fleury, and went 15-6-2 with a 2.08 GAA and a .923 save percentage in his first real taste of consistent starts in the league.

Still considered a rookie, Murray has gotten his first real opportunity to prove himself as a starter in the league this season and the results have been nothing short of fantastic.

In 39 games, Murray continues to roll with a 2.39 GAA and a .923 save percentage. However, his biggest accomplishment this season has been his 25 wins.

The 22-year-old hit the quarter-century mark on Wednesday night in a wild 7-4 win over the Winnipeg Jets, setting a new best for Penguins rookie netminders.

While the milestone isn't something to marvel at from an all-time stand point, but with some continued success he could join some elite company.

Murray's 25 wins currently puts him in a tie for the 32nd most wins by a rookie netminder in NHL history. With 17 games remaining on the Penguins schedule and just three sets of games on back-to-back nights, one can expect Murray to earn the majority of the starts down the stretch.

If he were to start 12 of the remaining 17 games, at his current winning percent, Murray would pick up seven more wins. Those wins would give him a share of the 12th-most wins by a rookie goalie.

Murray is quickly proving himself to be the goalie of the Penguins' present and future. He proved he can tangle with the best in the postseason last year, and with a full season now under his belt, there is no reason why he couldn't replicate his stellar play once again in just over a month's time.

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Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.

Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Thursday, Mar. 9 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):

Dynamic Duos

• C Mitchell Marner (52K) and LW James van Riemsdyk (58K), Maple Leafs (vs. Flyers): Toronto is back in business, ending a five-game losing skid last time out with a 3-2 triumph over Detroit. Look for the Maple Leafs to get back to their high-scoring ways in the comfortable confines of the Air Canada Centre against a Flyers team that ranks among the worst in the Eastern Conference in goals against.

• C Jonathan Toews (68K) and RW Patrick Kane (93K), Blackhawks (vs. Ducks): Toews and Kane don't play on the same line at 5v5, but that doesn't make them any less valuable as a combo play. Both players have been red-hot; Toews has 27 points in his last 18 games, while Kane has put up 21 points - including 14 goals - in his previous 13 contests. This is a high-end pairing, but one with the highest ceiling of the night.

• RW Mark Stone (54K) and D Erik Karlsson (59K), Senators (at Coyotes): Never underestimate the ability of a team already playing for next year to boost the fantasy stats of its opponents. Stone and Karlsson are a reasonably-priced duo with a high ceiling in Arizona; Stone has points in three straight games, and both players had a goal and an assist apiece in their previous meeting with the Coyotes.

Goalie Breakdown

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

• TARGET - Thomas Greiss (109K), Islanders (at Canucks): Greiss has been a bit shaky of late, allowing three or more goals in three of his last five games. But none of the teams he faced were as deficient as the Canucks, who rank second from the bottom in shots per game (27.5). The danger here is that Greiss allows three goals on 20 shots, but the more likely scenario is him returning value in all formats.

• BARGAIN - Mike Condon (79K), Senators (at Coyotes): Vegas has the Senators as a comfortable fave in this one, and even with a total of 5 1/2, you should expect Condon to assert himself well in Craig Anderson's absence. His road numbers (9-7-0, 2.79 GAA, .903 SV%) don't inspire a lot of confidence, but a game against Arizona can work wonders for a goaltender's numbers. Fire him up in cash games.

• FADE - Mike Smith (114K), Coyotes (vs. Senators): Condon's Thursday counterpart has a sub-.500 record at home (10-11-3) and has been mostly dreadful of late, surrendering 16 goals over his last four games. He'll likely face a good number of shots, which would, on its own, make him an intriguing contrarian play should he stand on his head. But at this salary, Smith is completely unplayable.

• CONTRARIAN - Calvin Pickard, Avalanche (vs. Devils): A Colorado netminder? What am I thinking? Well, I'm thinking that the Devils have one of the worst offenses in hockey, and are playing on the road two time zones separated from their home arena. Pickard is by no means a sure thing to post 25+ Squad Up points, but if you're looking to zig while others zag, this is the way to do it.

Bargain Plays

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

• C Mikko Koivu (36K), Wild (at Lightning): It's hard to believe that Koivu finds himself as one of the lowest-priced centers of the night, but here we are. Having recorded one point in his last three games is certainly a factor, but he had racked up 10 points in seven games before that. He had a goal on five shots last time out against St. Louis, and is terrific value against an underwhelming Lightning defense.

• RW Patrick Eaves (36K), Ducks (at Blackhawks): Eaves hasn't missed a beat since being traded from the Stars to the Ducks, scoring twice and adding a pair of assists in four games with Anaheim. It's unfathomable for him to be priced so low, even with a difficult matchup with the red-hot Blackhawks up next. Take a shot on Eaves if you're playing in a big-money contest and looking for some reliable salary relief.

• D Ryan Suter (35K), Wild (at Lightning): Suter is another player who should probably carry a higher price tag, if only because the sheer volume of ice time he sees often leads to production no matter how well Minnesota plays. Suter has increased his viability with assists in consecutive games, and should see upwards of 28+ minutes Thursday in Tampa Bay. He's a terrific option in all formats.

Top Fades

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

• LW Alex Ovechkin (75K), Capitals (at Sharks): This might seem like a great price for a perennial 50-goal stud, but Ovechkin hasn't been that guy for a while now. He has just two goals in his previous 14 games, and has found the back of the net only 10 times in his 31 road games this season. Go ahead and spend away if you think he's due, but that's a dangerous way to use 25% of your cap space.

• RW Kyle Palmieri (77K), Devils (at Avalanche): Palmieri might be one of New Jersey's top scoring threats, but is he really worth a higher salary than all but two forwards on Thursday's slate? Probably not, even with a nice matchup against Colorado. The Devils have been shutout in three of their last four games, and are a threat to post a goose egg on any given night. Fade Palmieri in every format.

• D Brent Burns (68K), Sharks (vs. Capitals): You can't doubt Burns' ability to put up boatloads of Squad Up points no matter the opponent - but with the Capitals boasting the best goal prevention in the league, Burns' whopping price tag is a little too rich for a successful cash game lineup. Burns has just one assist in three games so far this month, and has been held without a goal in six straight.

Contrarian Options

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

• C Matt Duchene (52K), Avalanche (vs. Devils): Duchene is ice-cold, having gone eight games without a point while registering a collective minus-6 rating over that span. So at the very least, selecting him is about as contrarian as it gets. And while the Devils get a reputation as a defensive power, they're only middle of the pack in goals per game allowed away from New Jersey (2.76). Try Duchene in a coins-only game.

• LW Taylor Hall (73K), Devils (at Avalanche): If you're going to roster a Devils skater Thursday, make it Hall. He's far and away the most dangerous player on the roster, and has been a bit unlucky of late, going seven games without a goal despite recording three or more shots three times in that span. Colorado is susceptible to the kind of breakdowns that Hall takes full advantage of; he's high risk, but high reward.

• RW Radim Vrbata (67K), Coyotes (vs. Senators): Of all the Arizona players to suit up Thursday, Vrbata is easily the most motivated, as he'll appear in his 1,000th career NHL game. While that alone isn't enough to make him worth rostering, consider that he recently put together a 10-game point streak and sees enough high-leverage ice time to be a threat each and every game.

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Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tom Sestito will have a hearing Thursday for boarding Winnipeg Jets defenseman Toby Enstrom, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.

The incident in question occurred late in the first period Wednesday, and saw Sestito catch Enstrom with an apparent hit from behind.

Following the game, Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Enstrom was in hospital to be checked for facial fractures.

Related: Enstrom in hospital being examined for facial fractures after Sestito hit

Sestito was assessed a five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct.

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Alex Burrows has offered the Ottawa Senators - winners of four in a row - a sizable jolt since coming over from the Vancouver Canucks, helping defend Pierre Dorion's decision to part with a quality prospect for an ostensibly diminishing veteran.

But over in Sweden, Jonathan Dahlen appears hellbent on proving his decision was misguided.

Dahlen put up five points, his offensive explosion complete with a hat trick, in a second league playoff game back home Wednesday.

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Alex Burrows has offered the Ottawa Senators - winners of four in a row - a sizable jolt since coming over from the Vancouver Canucks, helping defend Pierre Dorion's decision to part with a quality prospect for an ostensibly diminishing veteran.

But over in Sweden, Jonathan Dahlen appears hellbent on proving his decision was misguided.

Dahlen put up five points, his offensive explosion complete with a hat trick, in a second league playoff game back home Wednesday.

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The Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Simon Bourque to a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Thursday.

Bourque - who was plucked in the sixth round in 2015 - has split this season between the Rimouski Oceanic and Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. He's posted a combined 15 goals and 51 points - second and fifth, respectively, among defensemen in those categories.

In 245 career games, he has 40 goals and 144 points.

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Mobile app users - expand the banner below to view more on the race to the playoffs.

Each week, theScore looks at the teams, players, and other hockey figures trending upward and taking a step back.

▲ Brad Marchand

The most hated Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner in NHL history?

Just maybe.

With seven goals in his last seven games Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand has thrust himself into "Rocket" Richard territory, now boasting 32 goals through 67 games.

The 28-year-old's most recent stretch has propelled him into a tie for second in goals alongside Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine and just two back of league-leader Sidney Crosby.

Marchand has been by far the most lethal member of the Bruins with a 13-point cushion on the team scoring lead. He has already eclipsed his previous high of 61 points - set last year - by nine in 10 fewer games.

The chippy forward is also set to post nearly 20 fewer penalty minutes than last season, which has given Marchand more time to spend on the ice scoring goals.

A continued scoring streak by Marchand could make him the first Bruins player to pace the league in goals since Phil Esposito did so during the 1974-75 season.

▼ General managers

Heading into this week's general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., many speculated that the league's 31 GMs would finally solve the issues plaguing the offside review.

Since its inception, some glaring issues have become quite evident.

Calls are being made not over dramatic misses by linesmen, but by teams debating the accuracy of calls to the exact millimeter. Additionally, coaches have found a way to delay and watch highlights on their bench before making their decision to challenge a play, and the headache of whether players' skates remain on the ice when crossing the blue line.

These issues among others have in turn caused the review process to become more time consuming, and above all else an annoyance to fans, players, coaches, and more.

The 31 GMs had the opportunity to make some changes, even if just slightly. Rumors of limiting the time coaches have before challenging were just a one of the many rumored fixes that could be considered. Instead, the same rules will remain for at least another season and with it more frustration is likely to ensue.

▲ Montreal Canadiens

Once appearing to be falling from the sky, the Montreal Canadiens have caught an updraft.

After a dismal beginning to February that saw the club go the first 18 days with a 1-6-1 record, the team - now under the guidance of Claude Julien - has posted seven wins in its last eight games including a current six-game winning streak.

That being said, the Canadiens have still managed to score just 2.25 goals per game over the last eight contests, further highlighting the bounce-back of Carey Price.

The 2015 Vezina Trophy winner has gone 6-1-0 in the seven games he has started during the recent streak and has amassed a ridiculous .953 save percentage, a 1.26 GAA, and a shutout over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With their current up-swing, the Canadiens have once again pushed their lead in the Atlantic Division to four points over the Ottawa Senators and have - in the meantime - proved that missing out on a top-six forward at the deadline might not have been the end of the world.

Mobile app users - expand the banner below to view more on the race to the playoffs.

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Former NHL forward and current TSN analyst Ray Ferraro shared a recent clip of Craig Cunningham's encouraging progress in his recovery from his medical emergency in mid-November.

The Tucson Road Runners captain required a partial amputation of his left foot and leg due to complications during his life-saving surgery after he fell into cardiac arrest.

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When the San Jose Sharks looked to add some grit to their lineup, they swung a deal for Jannik Hansen just ahead of the NHL's trade deadline.

After nine days, they finally will get to see what their newest acquisition can do.

With immigration issues cleared up, Hansen is expected to debut with his new team and the Sharks will try to continue their domination of the league-leading Washington Capitals on Thursday night when San Jose opens a season-high six-game homestand.

Pacific Division-leading San Jose (39-19-7) picked up the Danish-born right winger from the Vancouver Canucks for Nikolay Goldobin and a 2017 draft pick on Feb. 28. Instead of suiting up for a team that is fading out of the playoff picture, Hansen reportedly will be on the Sharks' top line with Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton to go against a Capitals team that leads the league with 95 points.

"It could be an easier opponent for sure, but these are the teams you've got to play," Hansen told the San Jose Mercury News after practice on Wednesday.

Hansen clearly is not aware of the Sharks' history against Washington (44-14-7).

San Jose has not lost at home in regulation to the Capitals since Oct. 20, 1993, going 12-0-2 with one tie. The Sharks also improved to 10-1-2 in their past 13 matchups overall with Washington following a 3-0 victory on Nov. 8.

Injuries have limited Hansen to just six goals and seven assists in 28 games this season. That doesn't seem to matter to Sharks coach Peter DeBoer, who just wants Hansen to keep doing what has kept him in the league for 10 seasons.

"Come in and play your game," DeBoer told the Mercury News. "No expectations. We don't need him to fix our scoring woes or anything else. Just work hard, play your game and enjoy the situation. We've got a great group. We're winning a lot of games, and we want him to be a part of that."

San Jose opens its longest run of 2016-17 at SAP Center after defeating the Jets 3-2 in Winnipeg on Monday, the Sharks' fourth win in five games. Just over a month after Patrick Marleau posted his 500th goal, Joe Thornton drew his 1,000th career assist on Pavelski's empty-net goal in the final minute.

Thornton has multi point games in four of his past five appearances against Washington, including goals in four consecutive contests. Overall, "Jumbo Joe" has notched four goals and five helpers in the series dating back to 2014-15.

The Capitals will play 10 of their final 17 games on the road starting with this contest. Despite a 17-8-6 record in opposing rinks this season, Washington is 4-4-1 in its past nine on the road.

While 27 goals in a season for many players would be a success, it is not for Washington winger Alex Ovechkin, who recorded at least 50 in each of the previous three campaigns. He has just three goals in his past 15 games -- none at even strength.

"Early in that streak, I don't think he was getting very many chances," Washington coach Barry Trotz said Monday. "I think he's working better for those chances. Like I say, the hockey gods sort of are making him pay and making have to work for it for a little bit. ... It's tightening up now. You have to work for your goals, work for your space, all those things."

One of Ovechkin's two career goals in San Jose came at even strength.

The expected goaltending matchup should be a good one.

Washington's Braden Holtby leads the league with a 1.93 goals-against average and eight shutouts. He ranks third with 34 wins and fifth in save percentage at .929.

Holtby, who could be in line for his second straight Vezina Trophy later this year, is 7-0-1 and has allowed just 17 goals in his past nine road games.

San Jose's Martin Jones, meanwhile, is tied for fifth with 30 wins, and he blanked Washington in November with a 24-save effort.

If he starts, Holtby would try to help the Caps bounce back after their franchise-record, 15-game home winning streak was snapped Monday in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Capitals haven't lost back-to-back games in regulation since Nov. 26 and Dec. 1.

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