The Los Angeles Kings inked forward Trevor Moore to a five-year contract extension at an average annual value of $4.2 million, the club announced Thursday.
Moore, who was a pending unrestricted free agent, is in the final season of a two-year pact carrying a cap hit of $1.875 million.
The 27-year-old collected seven goals and 11 assists across 32 games entering Thursday's action. He established career highs with 17 tallies and 31 helpers over 81 contests in 2021-22.
Moore has been a key component of the Kings' solid second line alongside Viktor Arvidsson and Phillip Danault. Moore has been versatile, too. He plays on the team's second power-play unit as well as its top penalty-killing group. Moore's averaging a career-best 17:40 of ice time as a result.
The California-born winger came into Thursday's slate boasting commendable underlying figures as well. Los Angeles controlled 55.69% of the expected goals with Moore on the ice at five-on-five and 55.17% of the scoring chances in the same situations over those 32 games, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Moore is in his third full season and fourth campaign in total with the Kings. They acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the trade that sent goaltender Jack Campbell north of the border in February 2020. Moore debuted with the Leafs in 2018-19. He was an undrafted development camp invitee who ultimately cracked Toronto's roster.
We have an action-packed 12-game slate of games to look forward to Thursday night. Let's dive into a few of the many shot props that stand out.
Nikita Kucherov over 3.5 shots (+100)
Kucherov is generally somebody to target on home ice. There, he finds himself in some more advantageous matchups, whereas on the road, teams use their best two-way players to try to slow him down.
In terms of shots on goal, the Lightning star has cooled off a little of late. He has gone over the number in just three of his last 10 home dates. It's not for a lack of opportunity, though.
Kucherov has averaged 7.6 shot attempts per game over that stretch in Tampa Bay. That's well above his season average of 6.2. So long as the volume continues to be there, it's only a matter of time before he starts hitting again.
Luckily, Kucherov finds himself in the ultimate get-right spot. At five-on-five, the Blue Jackets rank bottom five in shot suppression over the last 10 games. Better yet, they have also spent the third-most time killing penalties.
Kucherov should be able to do real damage at full strength and, if all else fails, figures to have a few power-play opportunities to help push him over the edge.
Cole Caufield over 3.5 shots (-110)
Caufield is another player known for his home cooking. He has gone over the number in six of his last nine games in Montreal and, like Kucherov, has generated shot attempts at a noticeably higher rate at the Bell Centre.
The Canadiens forward has averaged 6.6 shot attempts over his last 10 home dates. That's a big step up from his last-10 road average of 5.1.
I expect Caufield's home success to continue in a smash spot against the Ducks. At five-on-five, the Ducks sit last - by a significant margin - in shot attempts and shots on goal conceded over the last 10 games. They're also a subpar penalty-killing team. Caufield should be the primary beneficiary of that.
Caufield had a four-shot, eight-attempt game against the Senators on Wednesday night. I expect a similar effort in this one.
Taylor Hall over 2.5 shots (-105)
Hall has quietly been shooting the lights out. He has generated at least three shots on goal in seven of the last nine games, falling just one puck shy in both of the exceptions.
He is consistently going over his shot total and legitimately threatening to do so every night for the Bruins.
The Kings have not been great on defense recently, ranking bottom eight in shot suppression at five-on-five. Hall doesn't get a ton of power-play time, so he needs to do the heavy lifting at even strength. This is a sneaky good spot where he should be able to do that.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
The NHL offseason always provides plenty of player movement, and 2022 was no exception. We decided to analyze the best summer additions based on how players have fit into their new surroundings through the one-third mark of the season. We also factored in acquisition cost, contract, and long-term outlook into these rankings.
On Friday, we'll rank the 10 worst acquisitions from the offseason. But first, without further ado, the 10 best:
xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
GSAx = goals saved above expected
T1. Matt Murray & Ilya Samsonov, Maple Leafs
Murray:
Rec.
GAA
SV%
SO
GSAx
7-1-2
2.50
.926
1
7.92
Acquisition: Trade with Senators Contract: 2x$4.7M
Samsonov:
Rec.
GAA
SV%
SO
GSAx
9-2-0
1.70
.939
2
11.18
Acquisition: UFA signing Contract: 1x$1.8M
We decided to group Toronto's two additions between the pipes together. Even though Samsonov's numbers are slightly better than Murray's, both have been exceptional and rank in the top 10 in the league in GSAx.
The acquisition cost makes these moves even more impressive. The Senators retained 25% of Murray's $6.25-million cap hit and sent the Leafs a 2022 third-round pick and 2024 seventh-rounder just to take him. Samsonov, meanwhile, is just 25 years old and a restricted free agent at season's end.
Availability is the only knock on Toronto's goalie tandem, as they've both missed time with injuries. But when healthy, Murray and Samsonov have formed the best goalie duo in the league and are the primary reason for the Leafs' sparkling 19-5-6 record.
3. Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers
Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
28
14
25
20:39
62.04
Acquisition: Trade with Flames Contract: 8x$9.5M
There's no denying the Panthers paid a steep price for Tkachuk - Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt, and a first-round pick. Weegar's presence on defense has been especially missed, but what's given Florida some short-term pain is setting up for long-term gain.
Tkachuk's all-around play this season has been literally off the charts.
Evolving-Hockey.com
At just 25 years old, his contract should age beautifully for the Panthers as the cap rises. Along with Aleksander Barkov, Tkachuk gives Florida another elite, two-way forward to build around. Huberdeau, meanwhile, isn't as well-rounded and is showing this season that his best days may be behind him.
4. Alexandar Georgiev, Avalanche
Rec.
GAA
SV%
SO
GSAx
11-5-2
2.65
.920
1
2.29
Acquisition: Trade with Rangers Contract: 3x$3.4M
It can't be easy coming in as the new starter for the defending Stanley Cup champions, but Georgiev has handled the pressure just fine in Colorado.
We're not going to pretend his acquisition didn't come with risk. Georgiev had never really been tasked with being a team's No. 1 option, and he spent the previous two campaigns in Igor Shesterkin's shadow. So far, the gamble has paid off for the Avalanche. Georgiev boasts a sterling .935 save percentage at even strength, which ranks fifth best among all goalies to make at least 10 starts this season.
The 26-year-old has come up big for the injury-riddled Avalanche, and all they had to give up for him was a trio of draft picks coming in the third round or later. Georgiev's cap hit looks even better once you consider that some of the league's highest-paid goalies are having a ... ahem ... rough start to the year.
5. Kevin Fiala, Kings
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
32
9
23
17:23
52.5
Acquisition: Trade with Wild Contract: 7x$7.875M
Fiala was the Wild's first casualty of the costly Ryan Suter and Zach Parise contract buyouts. But you won't catch the Kings shedding any tears for their Western Conference rivals' cap crunch.
It isn't every day that a 26-year-old forward coming off an 85-point season becomes available. All Los Angeles had to give up to acquire Fiala's services was a 2022 first-rounder and prospect Brock Faber. That arguably isn't too big of a hit given the Kings' deep prospect pool.
Fiala immediately signed on for the long haul in Los Angeles, and he's already fitting in with his new squad, pacing the team in assists and points. If he can continue to produce at a point-per-game rate, his deal will look even sweeter once the cap rises.
6. Andrei Kuzmenko, Canucks
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
28
13
13
15:38
50.07
Acquisition: UFA signing Contract: 1x$950K
Kuzmenko is playing like a guy who makes way more than $950,000 for the Canucks. His value alone is what landed him on this list.
Among all players with a cap hit of less than $1 million this campaign, Kuzmenko's 26 points are the third-most in the league, behind Tim Stutzle - who will make $8.35 million next season - and Dylan Cozens - who's due for a raise as a restricted free agent this summer.Kuzmenko also ranks fifth in the league in cost per point ($36,538).
That's decent company for a player getting his first taste of NHL action this campaign. Given his cheap contract and strong performance, Kuzmenko could become an extremely coveted trade chip should Vancouver decide to sell.
7. Dominik Kubalik, Red Wings
Steve Babineau / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
29
10
15
16:22
42.09
Acquisition: UFA signing Contract: 2x$2.5M
The Red Wings probably aren't wondering why the Chicago Blackhawks opted not to tender a qualifying offer to Kubalik last summer, allowing him to walk as an unrestricted free agent. They're probably just thankful.
This season, Kubalik looks far more like the player who was named a finalist for the Calder Trophy in 2020. The 27-year-old logged only 15 goals and 32 points in 78 games last campaign. He's close to surpassing those totals just 29 contestsinto 2022-23.
What's even better for the Red Wings is they're paying less than $3 million for that production. Nice move, Steve Yzerman.
8. Andre Burakovsky, Kraken
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
28
10
17
17:26
47.33
Acquisition: UFA signing Contract: 5x$5.5M
What did the Kraken need more of during their inaugural season? Goal-scoring! What did they get last offseason? Goal-scorers!
Burakovsky leads Seattle with 27 points and ranks third on the team with 10 goals, six coming at even strength. One of the Kraken's biggest weaknesses last campaign was five-on-five scoring, which Burakovsky has helped rectify.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion has averaged 20 goals over the past three seasons, and he's currently on pace for almost 30 tallies. He's also only 27. When you couple that with Burakovsky's recent production, the Kraken certainly won't be losing sleep over his $5.5-million cap hit.
9. Kirby Dach, Canadiens
Derek Cain / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
29
5
15
17:35
51.17
Acquisition: 3-way trade with Blackhawks, Islanders Contract: 4x$3.36M
Essentially, all Montreal gave up for Dach was defenseman Alexander Romanov and the Nos. 66 and 98 picks in the 2022 draft. That seems like some tidy business considering Dach has shown consistent flashes of the potential that led him to be drafted third overall in 2019.
Many labeled Dach a bust after his three underwhelming years in Chicago. However, that always seemed foolish considering he's just 21 years old, 6-foot-4, skates well for his size, and has terrific hands. Players develop at their own trajectory, and sometimes a change of scenery helps.
10. John Marino, Devils
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
29
2
6
21:32
52.57
Acquisition: Trade with Penguins Contract: 5x$4.4M
Marino's basic counting stats don't jump off the page, but he's been a key cog in New Jersey's hot start to the season. He's thriving in a shutdown role with the Devils, as they've scored 19 goals and allowed only 10 when he's been on the ice at five-on-five.
His ability to handle tough assignments has freed up Dougie Hamilton for more offensive opportunities. He's also bumped Damon Severson down to the third pair, where he's dominating softer matchups.
Quality, right-handed, top-four defensemen are coveted commodities in the NHL, but the Devils acquired Marino for Ty Smith - who's yet to establish himself as a full-time NHLer - and a third-round pick. Marino is just 25 years old, too.
Ovechkin's family, the Capitals, the NHL, and the players' association created the logo, which will be available on merchandise at Washington's home game Thursday against the Dallas Stars.
ESPN via Alex Ovechkin
"THE GR8 CHASE" refers to Ovechkin's nickname "The Great Eight," Gretzky's nickname "The Great One," and Ovi's chase of the all-time goals record.
Ovechkin recorded a hat trick Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks to become the third player in league history to score 800 goals.
Player
Goals
Wayne Gretzky
894
Gordie Howe
801
Alex Ovechkin
800
The 37-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down with 20 goals in 31 games this campaign. Ovechkin projects to catch Gretzky within the next few seasons if he keeps up his current pace.
The New York Rangers have once again been crowned the most valuable team in the NHL.
The Rangers claimed the top spot on Forbes' list of NHL team values for the eighth consecutive year with a $2.2 billion valuation, up 10% from 2021. Rounding out the top five are the Toronto Maple Leafs ($2 billion), Montreal Canadiens ($1.85 billion), Chicago Blackhawks ($1.5 billion), and Boston Bruins ($1.4 billion).
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who sit in 14th place at $1 billion, experienced the biggest jump in value among the 32 teams, with a 54% increase from last year.
NHL teams are now worth $1.03 billion on average - the first time the league's franchises have ever topped the $1 billion mark.
Ottawa Senators restricted free agent Alex Formenton signed a contract with the Swiss National League's Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign, the team announced Wednesday.
Formenton, 23, is ineligible to play in the NHL this season after he and the Senators failed to reach an agreement by the Dec. 1 signing deadline.
The winger was a member of Canada's 2018 world junior squad. The team has been under intense scrutiny since details emerged this spring about an alleged group sexual assault involving eight Hockey Canada players, including some from the gold-medal winning roster.
Formenton is one of the few players who has yet to comment on the investigation into the allegations. Back in September, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said the situation had nothing to do with Formenton's contract status, according to the Canadian Press.
Selected by the Senators in the second round of the 2017 draft, Formenton put up 18 goals and 14 assists in 79 games last season.
We have a small three-game slate on the docket for Wednesday night. Let's look at three bets that stand out from the rest.
Red Wings (+210) @ Wild (-250)
The Red Wings are starting to come down to earth following a surprisingly strong start to the season, and rightfully so.
They've won just twice over the last eight games, which makes a lot of sense when you look at the numbers.
Detroit has posted a putrid 43.48% expected goal share at five-on-five, which ranks 29th in the NHL, only ahead of bottom-feeders like the Blackhawks, Coyotes, and Ducks. That's not the best company to be keeping for a team hoping to contend for a playoff spot.
Ville Husso has done a great job of masking the Red Wings' problems this season. But they're playing at such a poor level he has little margin for error.
Take Tuesday, for example. Husso conceded one goal against an excellent Hurricanes team, and that wasn't enough to help Detroit grab even one point in the standings.
Now the Red Wings have to travel to Minnesota to take on a red-hot Wild team. Minnesota has won six of its last eight and stomped opponents at five-on-five, posting a remarkably strong 56.55 expected goals for percentage.
The Wild should dominate the run of play against a fatigued and struggling Red Wings team. Although Husso has started both legs of a back-to-back this season, Detroit will likely turn to Alex Nedeljkovic in this spot.
If that's the case, Kirill Kaprizov and Co. should be champing at the bit to get a piece of him. Nedeljkovic owns a .880 save percentage and has won just two games through nine appearances.
He's also conceded 11.1 goals more than expected. Among 59 goaltenders to man the crease at least nine times this campaign, only Elvis Merzlikins has allowed more goals than expected on a per-start basis.
Look for the Wild to take care of business inside 60 minutes.
Bet: Wild in regulation (-155)
Canucks (+150) @ Flames (-175)
The Canucks and Flames are amid very strange seasons. It feels like you never know what you'll get from either on a nightly basis.
Vancouver will look like it's in the Conor Bedard sweepstakes one night but then take out a top-tier team the next. The Flames will look like last season's powerhouse club one night but then lose to the Blue Jackets by multiple goals the next.
However, scoring goals in the first period is the one consistent area for both teams.
Only two squads - Golden Knights and Sabres - have scored more times in the first period than the Flames this campaign. Win or lose, Calgary generally finds a way to put the puck in the net early.
The Canucks aren't far behind. They're tied for eighth in goals scored in the opening frame and rank fifth on a per-game basis.
With each side playing high-event hockey in the early goings of contests and both clubs ranking bottom 10 in team save percentage, there's plenty of reason to expect early fireworks here.
Bet: Over 1.5 first period goals (-140)
Elias Pettersson over 2.5 shots (-140)
Sticking with this all-Canadian matchup, Elias Pettersson pops off the page more than anybody else with regards to shot props.
Pettersson has been remarkably consistent shooting the puck, generating at least three shots on target in nine of the last 10 games.
Pettersson has one of the highest shooting ceilings and floors in the league right now. He's generated 72 shot attempts over the last 10 games, which ranks eighth in the NHL behind the likes of Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews.
The Flames aren't a priority target for shots. But 2.5 isn't a big ask given the volume we're seeing from Pettersson.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
The Ottawa Senators phenom will miss at least a week with a shoulder contusion suffered Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, head coach D.J. Smith announced Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Ian Mendes.
Stutzle was crunched hard into the boards by Brett Leason.
Here’s the Stützle injury. Immediate flashback to the Norris and Pinto shoulder injuries. pic.twitter.com/WauOsLTmaP
The Senators are now down their top two centers. Josh Norris has been out since October with a shoulder injury of his own and will be re-evaluated in January. Winger Tyler Motte will also miss about a week with an upper-body injury. Here's Ottawa's projected lineup in the meantime:
