The New Jersey Devils extended the contract of head coach John Hynes earlier in the season, co-owner Josh Harris said, according to northjersey.com's Andrew Gross.

Hynes was reportedly in the final year of a three-year contract, which he signed when he joined the team back in 2015, according to NJ.com's Chris Ryan.

In three years as the head coach of the Devils, Hynes has put up a record of 97-98-30 in 225 games. The team currently sits in the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

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The New Jersey Devils paid the ultimate tribute to their all-time leading scorer Saturday night.

Patrik Elias watched as his No. 26 ascended to the rafters at the Prudential Center following a lengthy pregame ceremony.

Elias helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003. He's the franchise leader in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals, power-play goals, hat tricks, and shots on goal.

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Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane will not be in the lineup Saturday when his team faces the Washington Capitals.

It's a precautionary move with the veteran winger likely on the move ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

Kane has tallied 20 goals and 20 assists through 61 games this year. He can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

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Brian Gionta is drawing interest from a couple of teams in the Eastern Conference, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports.

The Boston Bruins are believed to be one of the teams in the mix for the 39-year-old, LeBrun adds.

Gionta is fresh off representing USA as team captain at PyeongChang 2018, recording no points in five games as his squad failed to qualify for the medal round. However, while overseas, his agent was in talks with NHL teams about landing his client a job.

The veteran winger last played in the NHL in 2016-17, recording 15 goals and 20 assists in 82 contests with the Buffalo Sabres. He has over 1,000 games under his belt, and an additional 112 coming in the playoffs.

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The Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Brandon Davidson to the New York Islanders for a third-round draft pick in 2019, the teams announced Saturday.

The left-handed blue-liner has bounced between Edmonton and Montreal over the past year, first via trade and then on waivers.

Davidson is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end after his current deal - which carries a cap hit of $1.425 million - expires.

With the trade, the Islanders continued their quest to secure a playoff spot and shore up a position of weakness.

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Tomas Plekanec will not be in the lineup for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, the team announced.

The decision comes with the trade deadline set for Monday, and amid reports the veteran center is attracting suitors after Derick Brassard was dealt by the Ottawa Senators on Friday.

Plekanec is in the final season of a two-year deal that carries a cap hit of $6 million. In 60 games this term, he's chipped in six goals and 18 assists.

The 35-year-old has spent the entirety of his NHL career with the Canadiens, recording 232 goals and 373 assists in 981 regular-season games since being selected 71st overall in 2001.

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Veteran forward Joel Ward is reportedly available ahead of the trade deadline.

The San Jose Sharks have asked Ward to submit his six-team no-trade list to management within 24 hours, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Ward, 37, is in the final season of his contract, earning $3.275 million. He has five goals and six assists in 46 games, averaging just shy of 12 minutes of ice time per game.

There could be a market for the winger, who's been productive in the playoffs in his career, with 22 goals and 52 points in 83 games.

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You can consider Auston Matthews out until at least March.

The Toronto Maple Leafs center has a shoulder injury and while he's officially listed as day to day, head coach Mike Babcock was a little more forthcoming Saturday when he confirmed Matthews won't play against Boston, with Josh Leivo stepping into the lineup.

"We always tell you day to day, that usually means 10 and we go from there," Babcock said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.

"He's fine, he's injured, he's fine," Babcock added. "He's going to get better. He'll be back soon."

Matthews leads Toronto in goals (28), points (50), and average ice time among forwards (18:19). His dominance at even strength - he has only two goals and five assists on the power play - is impossible to replace.

William Nylander will take Matthews' spot at center, and Connor Brown and Kasperi Kapanen are moving up in the lineup:

Toronto hosts Boston on Saturday night. The Bruins are a point ahead of the Maple Leafs with five games in hand.

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Ottawa Senators defenseman Johnny Oduya won't play in Saturday's game against Philadelphia, and head coach Guy Boucher hinted the scratch is related to Monday's trade deadline and not an injury.

TSN's Darren Dreger adds the decision is precautionary, as the Senators are indeed working to trade Oduya.

The 36-year-old defenseman signed a one-year, $2.25-million contract with the Senators last summer and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Defenseman Ian Cole also won't play after being acquired Friday in a three-way trade involving Pittsburgh and Vegas, as he's expected to be flipped prior to the deadline as well.

Oduya has appeared in 51 games for Ottawa, recording four goals and four assists. He's a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015.

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