Dan and Sat are joined by NHL insider Frank Seravalli to start the show. The boys talk the Canucks and their plans ahead of the trade deadline. Seravalli talks Jakob Chychrun rumors, as well as other likely trade candidates.
This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Time continues to wind down on Jakob Chychrun's days in the desert.
Arizona Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny said the defenseman and top trade chip "will remain out of the lineup until something happens," according to Sportsnet's Adam Vingan.
Chychrun was a healthy scratch for Saturday's 6-5 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues due to trade-related reasons.
The Coyotes will play eight more games before the March 3 trade deadline, beginning Monday against the Nashville Predators.
The 24-year-old's name has been in the rumor mill for over a year. In September, Chychrun said Arizona approached him about a possible trade to a contender prior to last season. He ultimately decided to take the team up on its offer, noting that a move "could be mutually beneficial."
A deal never came to fruition. Chychrun played his final game of the 2021-22 season on March 12 - just over one week before the trade deadline - because of an ankle injury.
He underwent wrist surgery in the offseason and didn't make his 2022-23 season debut until Nov. 21.
Chychrun has seven goals and 28 points in 36 games this campaign while leading the rebuilding Coyotes in average ice time (23:16).
He wouldn't be a rental for interested parties, either: Chychrun has two years remaining on his current deal with a cap hit of $4.6 million.
Despite previously being linked to Chychrun, the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs won't pursue the 6-foot-2 rearguard, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reported Saturday.
The Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Columbus Blue Jackets have all previously been reported to have interest in Chychrun.
We're coming off a strong weekend of best bets. The Maple Leafs came through on the puck line Friday night, and the Wild followed up with a home win against the red-hot Devils on Saturday.
We'll look to pick up where we left off with two more plays for Monday's slate.
This game has fireworks potential written all over it. The Flames have been lights out offensively lately, leading the NHL in goals per minute at five-on-five over the last 10 games.
Calgary shifted its lines around in an effort to have a more potent and balanced attack, and the shuffling has paid off. The Flames aren't just riding a shooting percentage bender, as they're top 10 in expected goal generation over those 10 contests.
They now draw a mouthwatering matchup against a Senators team in a bad spot. Ottawa has struggled to keep the puck out of its net at the best of times.
The Sens will be trying to punch way above their weight to slow down a red-hot offense. And they'll have to do it without their starting goaltender, backup netminder, and one of their top defenders in Jake Sanderson.
Calgary will test Mads Sogaard early and often, and there's not much reason to believe he can handle it. Sogaard owns a putrid .898 save percentage across 21 games in the AHL this season. A date with the Flames isn't exactly an ideal spot as he gets his feet wet with his first NHL start of the campaign.
I definitely expect Calgary to do the heavy lifting in this spot, but Ottawa should be able to contribute its share to the goal total. The Flames have allowed a hair under three goals per game this season, and Jacob Markstrom (.892 save percentage) has struggled all campaign.
The Sens have more than enough talent up front to cause Markstrom problems, and they'll need to do just that to have any chance of getting a positive result.
Look for a 4-3 or 5-2 type of contest in the nation's capital.
The Canucks have quietly been playing much better hockey under head coach Rick Tocchet.
They own a 3-3-1 record under their new bench boss and have posted remarkably better underlying metrics, particularly on the defensive side.
Vancouver has allowed 47.24 shot attempts and 2.20 expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Both numbers rank the club in the top five, surrounded by teams like the Hurricanes and Golden Knights. Tocchet has the guys buying in, and it shows.
On the flip side, the Red Wings have hit a real rut when it comes to creating chances. They rank dead last in five-on-five expected goal generation over the previous 10 games. Detroit also sits near the bottom in shots and high-danger opportunities.
The Red Wings are struggling to facilitate scoring opportunities, while the Canucks are doing a fantastic job of limiting them.
However, goaltending has been a huge concern for Vancouver. A tandem of Collin Delia and Spencer Martin is very bad and has the potential to undo a lot of the good that's happening.
That being said, Delia has conceded only two goals more than expected through 13 games. Martin has allowed 23.5 more than expected across 29 contests and has performed terribly. At least Delia has been somewhat competent on most nights.
With Delia expected back between the pipes and a home date against a Red Wings team having issues offensively, I think the Canucks will get back on track and grind out a win.
The potential absences of Lucas Raymond and Jake Walman - who's played excellent hockey alongside Moritz Seider on the top pairing - would also provide healthy boosts to Vancouver's chances.
Bet: Canucks (-120)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
This is the ninth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, we pick one reason to love each team in the league.
1. Boston Bruins (39-8-5)
Previous rank: 1
Everything! OK, OK, no one's perfect, but how could we pick just one thing to love about the Bruins? They've got it going on right now. However, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, we're going to go with Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman's post-win hugs.
2. Carolina Hurricanes (34-10-8)
Previous rank: 2
Rod the Bod. No team in the NHL - heck, maybe even in professional sports - embodies the mentality of their coach more than the Hurricanes do with Rod Brind'Amour. They work relentlessly hard and refuse to give their opponents an inch - just like Brind'Amour did during his playing days.
3. New Jersey Devils (34-13-5)
Previous rank: 5
The Ceiling. The Devils are already having an excellent campaign, but with defensemen Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec - two top-five picks - waiting in the wings, it's scary to think about how good this team could be in a few years.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (34-16-2)
Previous rank: 4
Drafting. A major reason for the Lightning's dynasty has been the ability to hit on draft picks outside the first round: Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Alex Killorn, Ross Colton - the list goes on. Without excellent scouting and player development, the Bolts wouldn't be where they are today.
5. New York Rangers (31-14-8)
Josh Lavallee / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 8
Vladimir Tarasenko and Artemi Panarin's relationship. Did you see how the two connected on Tarasenko's goal in his Rangers debut? The ex-Blue also called Panarin "one of (his) best friends." Now, the duo gets to gun for a Stanley Cup together, bolstered by the power of friendship.
6. Edmonton Oilers (30-19-5)
Previous rank: 7
Connor McDavid. We tried to be more creative here, we really did, but there's no way we weren't going to give it to the Oilers superstar, who's going to hit the 100-point mark in February.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs (32-14-8)
Previous rank: 3
Ilya Samsonov's smiles. The only thing better thanSamsonov's performance in the Maple Leafs' crease this season is his postgame scrums. The affable goaltender has built up a reputation for being a fantastic quote, especially with his catchphrase, "Have some smile."
8. Dallas Stars (30-14-10)
Previous rank: 6
Top-line chemistry. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Joe Pavelski have been among the league's best lines since they were put together in 2020. The trio works perfectly for the Stars, elevating each other's strengths to terrorize opposing defenses.
9. Winnipeg Jets (33-19-1)
Previous rank: 12
Rick Bowness. A few eyebrows were raised after the Jets hired the 68-year-old as their head coach this offseason, but he's come in and installed a structure that the team so desperately lacked in past years under Paul Maurice. There are a lot of strong candidates for the Jack Adams, but Bowness should be right up there.
10. Colorado Avalanche (28-19-4)
Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / Getty
Previous rank: 9
Speed. Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon obviously draw the headlines, but even players lower in Colorado's lineup play with incredible pace, and it makes the Avalanche an absolute joy to watch.
11. Vegas Golden Knights (32-18-4)
Previous rank: 17
Chandler Stephenson. Who would've thought Stephenson would go on to represent the Golden Knights at the All-Star Game when he was acquired for a fifth-round pick in 2019? The 28-year-old's breakout campaign over the past two seasons has been a much-needed boost to a Vegas lineup that seems to consistently be missing a major piece due to injury.
12. Los Angeles Kings (29-18-7)
Previous rank: 14
Pheonix Copley. What a story he's been for the Kings. The 31-year-old goalie had 31 games of NHL experience under his belt prior to the 2022-23 campaign. This season in Los Angeles, he owns a sparkling 16-3-1 record between the pipes.
13. Seattle Kraken (30-18-5)
Previous rank: 10
Depth scoring. The Kraken don't have any superstars, which is expected from a team in its second year, but the contributions from up and down the lineup have them in line to make the playoffs for the first time. Seattle has four players - Jared McCann, Daniel Sprong, Ryan Donato, and Eeli Tolvanen - in the top 15 in five-on-five goals per 60 minutes.
14. Florida Panthers (26-23-6)
Previous rank: 16
Matthew Tkachuk. There's no question the Panthers won Year 1 of last summer's blockbuster deal with the Flames that brought the talented agitator to Sunrise. Tkachuk has 23 more points than Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar combined.
15. Washington Capitals (28-21-6)
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 20
Ovi's chase for 892.Ovechkin is turning his pursuit of the all-time goal record into an inevitability. The 37-year-old just won't slow down - he's set to blow past 40 goals for the 13th time in his career. Everything the Capitals do in the near future is in an effort to get their franchise superstar to 892 career goals, and rightfully so.
16. Pittsburgh Penguins (26-17-9)
Previous rank: 18
The gang is still together. There seemed like a legitimate possibility that the Penguins' iconic trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang would be split up this past offseason when the latter two were set to become unrestricted free agents. But that just wouldn't have been right, and it'll be great for the hockey world if they all finish their careers together in the Steel City.
17. Nashville Predators (25-19-6)
Previous rank: 13
Juuse Saros. We hope every member of the Predators buys Saros a bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day. He ranks fifth among all netminders this season in goals saved above average (16.82) and second in goals saved above expected (28.1).
18. Buffalo Sabres (26-21-4)
Previous rank: 11
All-out offense. The Sabres have blossomed into one of the league's most fun up-and-coming teams. Buffalo ranks second in goals per game thanks in large part to human highlight reel Tage Thompson - you just never know what the 6-foot-6 dangler will do next.
19. New York Islanders (27-23-6)
Previous rank: 22
Bo Horvat. Duh. The newcomer has three goals and four points in his first four games with the Islanders. Talk about making an instant impact!
20. Minnesota Wild (28-20-4)
Bruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 15
Kaprizov and Zuccarello's chemistry. Few duos have clicked the way Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello have over the past two years. Kaprizov has emerged as the most potent player in Wild franchise history, while Zuccarello has enjoyed the best seasons of his career in his mid-30s.
21. Calgary Flames (25-18-10)
Previous rank: 19
Darryl Sutter's press conferences. Things haven't gone exactly as planned for the Flames this season, but we can always count on their head coach's dry humor to give us a laugh whenever he speaks to the media.
22. Detroit Red Wings (23-20-8)
Previous rank: 23
Dylan Larkin. Let's appreciate how cool it is that Larkin, a native of Waterford, Michigan, and an alumni of the University of Michigan, is the captain and star player of the Red Wings as he paces the club with 48 points in 50 games. Those hometown factors have to be considered when the pending UFA decides whether to re-sign or test the open market.
23. Ottawa Senators (24-24-3)
Previous rank: 21
Tim Stutzle. In yet another disappointing campaign for the Senators, Stutzle's breakout as a point-per-game forward has been a much-needed bright spot.
24. Philadelphia Flyers (22-23-10)
Previous rank: 24
Carter Hart. The Philadelphia netminder has bounced back in a big way this season and is one of the main reasons the Flyers aren't far worse than they are.
25. St. Louis Blues (24-25-3)
Rich Graessle / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 26
Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. It's the end of an era in St. Louis, with Vladimir Tarasenko getting traded and Ryan O'Reilly possibly next. At least Blues fans can take solace knowing they have their two phenom forwards locked up for the next eight years.
26. San Jose Sharks (17-26-11)
Previous rank: 25
Erik Karlsson's resurgence. It looked like Karlsson's $11.5-million contract was going to be an anchor on the Sharks' cap after three years of declining play and injury troubles. Instead, the 32-year-old has turned back the clock to lead defensemen with 73 points and the entire league in even-strength scoring.
27. Montreal Canadiens (22-27-4)
Previous rank: 28
Arber Xhekaj. Whether it's his improbable rapid rise from an undrafted free agent to an NHL regular, the many nicknames the Canadiens fan base has given him, or his throwback enforcer-esque style, it's hard not to love Xhekaj. Well, unless you're one of his opponents.
28. Vancouver Canucks (21-28-4)
Previous rank: 27
Unpredictability. You just never know what's going to happen during a Canucks game. Blown leads and multi-goal comebacks have been run-of-the-mill occurrences in Vancouver this season. If you love high-event hockey, look no further - the Canucks lead the NHL in combined goals for and against.
29. Arizona Coyotes (17-28-8)
Previous rank: 30
Mullett Arena. Is it strange that the Coyotes are playing in a college rink? Of course. But the sooner you embrace the oddity that is Mullett Arena, the better. There's simply no fan experience quite like it in the NHL.
30. Anaheim Ducks (17-31-6)
Andy Devlin / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 29
Mason McTavish's texts. According to projected 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard, the Ducks rookie has been shooting him a message every time Anaheim loses a game. The pair helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2022 World Junior Championship, and the Ducks are well in the race to acquire Bedard's services.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (16-30-5)
Previous rank: 31
Commitment to tanking. There's really not much to love about the Blackhawks, but we have to applaud management's ability to assemble the worst roster possible in hopes of drafting first overall.
32. Columbus Blue Jackets (16-33-4)
Previous rank: 32
That their season is almost, mercifully over. The Blue Jackets only have to suffer through 29 more games before they can turn the page on their injury-riddled campaign. The end of the season will also bring about answers for Columbus: Will it all have been worth it to land Bedard?
Though Chicago Blackhawks veteran Patrick Kane hasn't yet informed the team if he'll waive his no-movement clause ahead of the trade deadline, some suitors appear to be taking shape.
All four of those teams are currently in a playoff spot.
Kane, 34, is in the final season of an eight-year pact with an average annual value of $10.5 million. Though he potted just nine goals and 26 assists in 48 games for the struggling Blackhawks this campaign, the three-time Stanley Cup champion and 2013 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is one of the top names that may be available come March 3.
The Hurricanes sit atop the Metropolitan Division with a 34-10-8 record but could bolster their roster with an impact forward after losing Max Pacioretty to another Achilles tear in January.
Dallas leads the Western Conference after going 30-14-10. The Stars were in the market for a top-six forward to play with Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, according to a report from TSN's Darren Dreger in late November.
Minnesota, meanwhile, occupies the second wild-card spot in the West with a record of 28-20-4. The Wild could use more firepower up front, having lost Kevin Fiala last summer because of the pricey contract buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Minnesota has only scored 153 goals this season, tied for the eighth-least in the league.
Finally, the Golden Knights have a gaping hole in their lineup after losing captain Mark Stone indefinitely to another back surgery. Vegas holds the top spot in the Pacific Division with a 31-18-4 record, but the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings are both one point behind.
Kane admitted Friday that he was "definitely looking at" the New York Rangers before they acquired Vladimir Tarasenko.
New York was reportedly wary about Kane's hip injury, per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, but he said those concerns were overblown.
Kane ranks third all time in Blackhawks history with 1,155 games played and 439 goals while ranking second with 1,215 points.
Forsberg was stretchered off the ice during Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
In the lead-up to Edmonton's sixth goal of the contest, Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic pushed Oilers forward Zach Hyman into Forsberg, which forced one of his legs into an awkward position. Mads Sogaard entered the game in relief.
Rookie defenseman Jake Sanderson was also injured during Saturday's contest and is expected to miss at least two weeks with an upper-body injury. He exited after taking a hit from Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais in the final frame.
Forsberg, 30, largely shared the crease with Cam Talbot this season. He put up an 11-11-2 record across 28 appearances to go along with a .902 save percentage and 3.26 goals against average.
Talbot hasn't played since Jan. 25 due to a lower-body injury, and with Forsberg also on the shelf, Ottawa recalled goaltender Kevin Mandolese from the AHL.
Drafted by the Senators in the sixth round in 2018, Mandolese has recorded a 4-7-2 record and an .879 save percentage in 13 games with the Belleville Senators this season.
With 31 games remaining in the Senators' season, Ottawa is in seventh place of the Atlantic Division with a record of 24-24-3, outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
