Linus Ullmark made the most of his first start of the season for the Buffalo Sabres.

The 24-year-old goaltender registered a career-high 44 saves to help the Sabres beat the Columbus Blue Jackets and snap a five-game losing streak (0-4-1).

Ullmark had previously made 42 saves in games played back in 2015-16.

Drafted 163rd overall in 2012, Ullmark has spent the majority of his pro career in the AHL after making the move from Sweden.

He may, however, be in line for more starts moving forward if the Sabres decide to trade a goalie prior to the deadline.

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Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman sustained a lower-body injury during the second period of Thursday's game against the Calgary Flames and was not able to return.

The injury occured on a collision with Flames forward Garnet Hathaway.

Hedman has recorded six goals and 27 assists in 43 games, once again establishing himself as a Norris Trophy contender based on his steady and consistent play.

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If the Ottawa Senators want to move downtown, it will be up to the team to foot the bill.

That's the stance of Ottawa mayor Jim Watson, who on Thursday told Jon Willing of the Ottawa Citizen that the local government won't help subsidize a new facility for the Senators.

While Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has made no public comment about the city helping to fund a new arena, Watson appears to be getting ahead of the game.

Rival Canadian cities, like Edmonton, have helped bankroll new facilities in recent seasons, and until recent discussions hit a standstill, Calgary was also in talks with the Flames on arena project funding.

"We should not be using property tax dollars to subsidize an NHL team," Watson said. "That's not the role of a municipal government, in my opinion."

As it stands, Melnyk is in negotiations with the National Capital Commission to build a new arena in the downtown neighborhood of LeBreton Flats. The hope is that a move closer to the city core will reinvigorate the team's sagging attendance figures.

The Senators currently play out of suburban Kanata, a commute that has proven to be a challenge for fans in recent seasons, particularly during last year's playoff run.

In the meantime, Melnyk hasn't been shy in voicing his frustrations with the sluggish pace of negotiations with the National Capital Commission.

That was especially evident ahead of last month's Centennial Classic, when he floated the possibility the Senators could leave Ottawa if the team's financial position did not improve, something that could become reality if a new arena does not come to fruition.

Those comments didn't sit well with Watson.

"It was not helpful when Eugene blurted out that maybe (the Senators) don't have to move downtown because that's exactly at odds with what he and (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman have been telling me going back four years, that the arena has to be in the downtown core," Watson added.

"I'm hoping he misspoke and is not casting doubt on all of the work we're putting in to getting the arena and the whole site revitalized in the downtown."

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Thomas Dundon is the new man in charge.

The Dallas billionaire finalized his purchase of the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, in a deal which sees him gain a majority stake of the franchise.

Former owner Peter Karmanos retained a minority share, selling 61 percent to Dundon, based on a $505-million valuation, according to Luke DeCock and Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.

Dundon has the option to gain full control of the franchise within three years.

The Hurricanes had been owned by Karmanos since 1994, when the franchise was then known as the Hartford Whalers. The team relocated to North Carolina three years later. Thursday's sale is conditional on Dundon agreeing to keep the team in Raleigh.

A press conference formally announcing the deal will be held Friday in Raleigh.

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The Edmonton Oilers may be looking to make a move.

General manager Peter Chiarelli informed all NHL teams by email that forward Anton Slepyshev is available on the trade market, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

The 23-year-old winger recently became waiver eligible and is in the final year of his entry-level contract. He carries a cap hit of $925,000.

Slepyshev was drafted 88th overall in 2013 and has recorded five goals and nine assists in 70 NHL games.

He's been limited to 18 appearances this season due to a lower-body injury and several healthy scratches.

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Goaltenders David Leggio and Brandon Maxwell have been named the final two members of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team, USA Hockey announced Thursday.

The two join Ryan Zapolski, who was the lone goalie called up when the first 23 members were named on Jan. 1.

Maxwell is currently playing in the Czech league for Mlada Boleslav BK where he's posted a 10-18-0 record with a .921 save percentage and 2.37 goals-against average.

Leggio, who currently plays for Munich EHC of the DEL in Germany, might ring a bell as he's made headlines in recent years for pushing nets off their pegs to halt opposition rushes.

Leggio has gone 13-7-0 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average.

The Americans will kick off their march toward Olympic gold on Feb. 14 when they face Slovenia.

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There are certainly some names you'll recognize up front and in goal on Canada's Olympic men's hockey team, but the defense is another story.

Sure, Derek Roy, Mason Raymond, Wojtek Wolski, and Ben Scrivens were among the players named by Hockey Canada to its 2018 Olympic squad Thursday, but most of the Canadian blue-liners are relative no-names.

Here's a quick rundown of who the defensemen are and where they came from:

Stefan Elliott

Fans of the Colorado Avalanche - and to a lesser extent, the Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators - might remember this 26-year-old, who the Avalanche drafted in the second round back in 2009, but we'd forgive them if he didn't ring a bell.

Elliott played 63 games over four seasons with Colorado, collecting 18 points, and left for the KHL in 2016 after shorter stints with the Coyotes and Predators. He's playing with HV71 (Jonkoping) in the Swedish Hockey League this season.

Chay Genoway

If we told you Genoway was a point-per-game player in his NHL career, you'd be impressed, right?

That's true, but the 31-year-old Manitoban has played just one game in the league, as he notched an assist in his only NHL appearance with the Minnesota Wild in 2011-12.

Genoway has spent the last four years in the KHL, suiting up for four different teams.

Cody Goloubef

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Goloubef might be the most experienced member of the D-corps as far as NHL experience is concerned, with 129 career games played.

The 28-year-old spent parts of seven seasons in the Columbus Blue Jackets' organization after that club picked him 37th overall in 2008, but couldn't carve out a regular NHL role before being traded to the Avalanche in November 2016.

Goloubef managed only five points in 33 contests with Colorado last season, and he's collected a respectable 14 points in 27 games with the AHL's Stockton Heat in 2017-18.

Marc-Andre Gragnani

The Buffalo Sabres had high hopes for this now-30-year-old when they made him a third-round pick in 2005, but he didn't pan out as an NHL prospect.

Gragnani put up big numbers in the QMJHL, but never quite fit in with the Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, or New Jersey Devils before heading to Europe for the 2013-14 campaign.

He played for the KHL squad in Prague before jumping to Switzerland's National League with SC Bern, then back to the Russian-based league, in which he's played for Dinamo Minsk for the last two seasons, posting 38 points in 56 games in 2016-17.

Chris Lee

While Goloubef has the most NHL experience in the group, Lee has the most life experience.

The 37-year-old is the definition of a journeyman, having never played a game in the NHL but having spent years toiling in the ECHL, AHL, and overseas.

Lee has played in Europe for the last eight campaigns, and he's been a member of the KHL's Metallurg Magnitogorsk for the last five, piling up an impressive 65 points in 60 games one season ago.

Maxim Noreau

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Much like Lee, Noreau went undrafted and has since bounced around in the AHL, ECHL, and Europe.

He does have six NHL games under his belt, playing a single contest with the Wild in 2009-10, and then five more with them the following season, but he doesn't have any points to show for it.

Noreau has played in Switzerland for five of the last seven years, most recently with SC Bern, where he has 21 points in 25 games this season.

Mat Robinson

Robinson is certainly one of the more obscure names on the roster. He's never appeared in the NHL, and he's played in Europe for the last seven years, plying his trade in the KHL for the past five and racking up 20 points in 37 games for CSKA Moscow this season.

Karl Stollery

This 30-year-old Albertan was never drafted by an NHL club, but he did play seven games for the Avalanche, five for the San Jose Sharks, and 11 for the Devils.

He's in the midst of his first KHL season with Dinamo Riga, with whom he's chipped in 14 points in 46 contests.

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What a difference a year makes.

One year ago, Wojtek Wolski's hockey career looked to be in jeopardy after he broke his neck while crashing into the boards during a KHL game.

After a lengthy recovery, the former Colorado Avalanche forward returned with a bang this season, scoring nine goals and 33 points in 40 games with Magnitogorsk Metallurg and Kunlun Red Star.

On Thursday, he was named to Canada's Olympic roster a year removed from sitting in a hospital bed following neck surgery, he noted on Instagram.

This Canadian team may lack NHL skill, but it certainly doesn't lack heart.

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The NHL trade deadline is just over a month away, but after Anthony Duclair was shipped to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, it appears general managers have already started burning up the phones.

Many clubs remain on the cusp of a playoff position, meaning the next few weeks could be the tipping point in determining who will look to sell and who will look to load up ahead of the final stretch.

Here are the top 10 players who could very well be dealt ahead of the Feb. 26 deadline:

1. Evander Kane, F, Sabres

Teams that could be interested: Sharks, Blues, Kings

Kane's name has been among the most prevalent in trade rumors. It appears to be a given he'll be dealt, and rightfully so, as he's producing despite playing on the league's second-worst team.

Given he's tallied 35 points in 43 games in Buffalo, it would be interesting to see what he can do with a contender.

2. Mike Green, D, Red Wings

Teams that could be interested: Maple Leafs, Lightning, Capitals

The number of dependable, right-shooting veteran defensemen is slim, and Green is the best of that group.

Related: 3 teams that should be calling the Red Wings about Mike Green

Green, who earned an All-Star nod after tallying 24 points in 41 games, can slot in on the power play and be a huge boost to a club looking to fill out its D core.

3. Mike Hoffman, F, Senators

Teams that could be interested: Blues, Hurricanes, Sharks

Hoffman has one of the most lethal shots in the league.

His production hasn't been great, but considering the tailspin the Senators have been in, his 11 goals and 29 points are decent totals. Placed on the wing of a setup man like Joe Thornton or in a solid power-play unit, he could be the perfect trigger man.

4. Max Pacioretty, F, Canadiens

Teams that could be interested: Sharks, Blues, Kings

Team captains are rarely traded at the deadline. However, with the Canadiens set to miss the postseason for just the second time in the last six years, rumors about Pacioretty being shopped have already surfaced.

Related - Pacioretty on trade rumors: 'If it happens, it happens'

A smaller role and less responsibility on a contender could be just what Pacioretty needs to rekindle his scoring prowess.

5. Robin Lehner, G, Sabres

Teams that could be interested: Islanders, Penguins

Few goalies are available and even fewer teams are in need of one heading into the final stretch, but there could be a marriage between Robin Lehner and the New York Islanders.

Goaltending has clearly been the Islanders' Achilles' heel, and Lehner has been one of the better Sabres this season, putting up the sixth-best home save percentage in the NHL.

6. Thomas Vanek, F, Canucks

Teams that could be interested: Blues, Kings, Penguins

It's time for the annual Vanek trade.

It seems teams looking to find offensive depth heading into the playoffs always look to Vanek for a cheap fill. The 29-year-old has recorded a respectable 12 goals and 29 points, including 11 power-play points, on a lowly Canucks squad.

Teams in search of the self-proclaimed power-play specialist need apply.

7. Alex Galchenyuk, F, Canadiens

Teams that could be interested: Sharks, Blues

Galchenyuk needs a fresh start.

The Canadiens forward has faced criticism for his play, been shifted from center to wing, and moved up and down the lineup. He's just two years removed from a 30-goal campaign, and, at 23 years of age, has more to give.

Related: The time is finally right for Canadiens to trade Galchenyuk

He still has two years remaining on his deal after this season, so this would be more than your average rental.

8. Erik Gudbranson, D, Canucks

Teams that could be interested: Maple Leafs, Rangers, Islanders

Teams bidding for Gudbranson won't get much offense, but they'll add a dependable two-way defender who can slot nicely into a bottom pairing.

Gudbranson ranks third on the Canucks in both blocks and hits per game, while averaging 2:15 of shorthanded ice time per night.

9. Patrick Maroon, F, Oilers

Teams that could be interested: Capitals, Penguins, Sharks

Things haven't gone according to plan for Maroon this season after he showed glimpses of promise playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl last year.

After erupting for 27 goals in 2016-17, he's on pace to finish with 10 fewer this time around. That being said, he's your quintessential sandpaper-type player with the ability to finish - ideal for playoff hockey.

10. Petr Mrazek, G, Red Wings

Teams that could be interested: Islanders, Penguins

After Lehner, Mrazek is the best goalie likely to be made available.

The Red Wings netminder will be a restricted free agent at season's end, and while he has served largely as a backup this year, he has experience as a starter. He's still only 25, and could serve as a depth option on a team like the Penguins.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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