Matt and Blake comb through the continuing angst over Elias Pettersson's contractual status and Patrik Allvin's comments about how it's unusual for an RFA to not have a resolution at this point. They discuss Elias' history with the franchise, the signposts to come and how this can play out. They also talk about Allvin getting aggressive before the trade deadline, whether he owes it to fans and the players. Plus, whether they could acquire a player and instantly sign them in this environment with Pettersson and Filip Hronek unsigned, and midseason awards and one outlet having Rick Tocchet and Quinn Hughes as trophy winners. Other topics include the B.C. Lions re-signing another key free agent and the Seahawks giving John Schneider the keys to the kingdom.

Frank Seravalli from Daily Faceoff joins to talk about how aggressive the Canucks will get before the deadline, the worrying over Pettersson, whether the club would let him go into his final year before unrestricted free agency, trade buzz around Andrei Kuzmenko and two Western Conference clubs that could be a source of deadline reinforcements.

Frank Corrado stops by and puts himself in Allvin's shoes with regards to Pettersson. He comments on whether Elias Lindholm would be a fit with the existing wingers, and whether Kuzmenko has to be dealt to better utilize his cap hit. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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The majority of NHL teams have played their 41st game to mark the crossing of the season's halfway point.

As the All-Star break quickly approaches, let's take a look at who the betting market views as Stanley Cup contenders and pretenders.

Stanley Cup odds

Odds via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet. Teams above +10000 are not listed.

Three teams have odds shorter than +1000 - the Avalanche, Bruins, and Rangers - meaning they have an implied winning probability of over 10%.

Of the three, only the Avs, who were +900 at the beginning of the season, opened the year in this range. The Rangers were +1400 and the Bruins were +1600 before the season started, which were eight and nine on the oddsboard, respectively. But with the two teams holding the top two spots in the Eastern Conference standings, the betting market has reacted accordingly.

The Hurricanes opened the year as slight Stanley Cup favorites at +800 but have drifted to +1200 as they sit fifth in the Eastern Conference at 24-14-5. The Maple Leafs, who were +900 to start the season, have also drifted to +1200. However, not one of the preseason favorites has fallen down the oddsboard more than than Devils.

New Jersey has battled injuries all season long and, after beginning the year at +900, is now +2000 with a 22-16-3 record, which puts them in 12th in the Eastern Conference and two points out of the second wild-card spot.

As for teams in the West other than Colorado, the Oilers began the year at +900 and fell all the way down to +2000 when they sat at 5-12-1 near the end of November. But thanks to their current 11-game winning streak, they are back among the favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup.

The biggest movers in the West are by far the Canucks and Jets. They both opened the year at +6000 and have shortened drastically to +1600. They sit first and second in the league with 62 points each, but the Jets' game in hand currently gives them a slight edge in the standings.

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The San Jose Sharks will retire franchise legend Joe Thornton's No. 19 jersey on an unspecified date next season, the team announced Wednesday.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to play in the National Hockey League for 24 seasons," Thornton said in the release. "But when I came to San Jose, it felt like I was truly home. I fell in love with the area and the people, and I had the best years of my career wearing the Sharks crest. ... I am humbled by this recognition, which is a reflection of all of those great teams we had in San Jose during my time there."

Thornton spent 15 seasons with the Sharks from 2005 to 2020 and donned the "C" for four campaigns. He is the team's all-time leader in assists (804) while ranking second in points (1,055) and third in games played (1,104).

San Jose made the postseason in all but two campaigns during Thornton's tenure in teal, and his 115 points in 144 playoff games are the second-most in franchise history. The Sharks made the conference finals four times with Thornton in the mix, including one trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 44-year-old spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Bruins, but the Sharks acquired him from Boston in November 2005 in exchange for Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau, and Brad Stuart. Thornton won the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy that spring after putting up 92 points in 58 games with the Sharks (on top of 33 points in 23 outings with the Bruins).

Thornton is just the second Sharks player to have his jersey sent to the rafters of the SAP Center, joining Patrick Marleau, whose No. 12 was retired in February 2023.

"Jumbo was the best playmaker of his generation, and I feel lucky to have gotten to play with and against him," current Sharks general manager and former player Mike Grier said. "On the ice, his size, strength, and IQ made him impossible to defend, but off the ice, he was the most caring and generous teammate I have ever had. He's a special player and person and is very deserving of this honor."

Thornton last played in the NHL in 2022 and he announced his retirement in October. He totaled 1,539 points in 1,714 career NHL games spent with the Bruins, Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers.

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Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev is playing a lot of hockey.

At the midway point of the campaign, he's made 37 appearances, three more than Nashville Predators workhorse Juuse Saros, the league's second-busiest netminder. Georgiev is on pace for around 66 starts, which is far beyond Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland's ideal range of 50-to-55 contests.

"I'll be honest, I do think we got to be careful with (Georgiev's) games played here, and it's something that we talk about daily," MacFarland said during a recent appearance on Daily Faceoff's "Frankly Speaking" podcast.

"You want your guy fresh for April if you're able to grab one of those eight tickets (to the playoffs)," he continued. "I know every team is kind of different and maybe there's some guys that can go 60 or 62. For me, my comfort level would be certainly less pace than what he's on target for right now."

Georgiev leads all goaltenders with 24 wins, but he owns a sub-.900 save percentage (.897) and ranks 76th out of 84 goaltenders in goals saved above average at all strengths (minus-7.78), according to Evolving Hockey.

Colorado's other options in net are inexperienced.

The Avalanche picked up Ivan Prosvetov off waivers in October, and he owns a 4-3-1 record across 11 showings this season. Prior to this campaign, the 24-year-old had made just 13 appearances across three seasons with the Arizona Coyotes.

Prospect Justus Annunen made his first appearance of the campaign during Tuesday's 7-4 comeback win over the Ottawa Senators, but the 23-year-old only played in two games in each of the last two seasons with the Avalanche.

Colorado's thinness at the position has MacFarland yearning for Pavel Francouz, who won't play this year because of a lower-body injury.

"The Pavel Francouz late-summer injury was a very, very big injury for us," he said. "We've been very spoiled by having a rock-steady backup, 1B, whatever you want to have it. Whenever Francouz was called upon the last number of years, including the playoffs, he delivered. ... He had that unreal, professional approach, prepared in a very important role, and we really, really miss that."

So, will the Avalanche be among the teams that monitor the goalie market come the trade deadline in March?

"Like anything else, if there's an opportunity for us to improve the hockey team, we look at it," MacFarland said.

Colorado currently sits in second place in the Central Division with a 29-13-3 record, one point behind Winnipeg for the top spot. The Jets have played two fewer games.

Georgiev will represent the Avalanche at next month's All-Star Weekend after being voted into the festivities.

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When does it become trade season in the NHL?

Early January, apparently.

We got a bombshell last week, with the Flyers trading top prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Ducks for NHL defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick. This Thursday marks 50 days until the March 8 trade deadline.

Let's take a look at six intriguing players who may be changing teams. Each section below includes a summary of the latest media reports; the player's on-ice value; and three potential landing spots.

Jake Guentzel, winger

Key report: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported over the weekend that "no determination has been made" on Guentzel's future in Pittsburgh. Guentzel, who'll turn 30 before next season, is a pending unrestricted free agent. The Penguins are trying to win a fourth Stanley Cup with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. However, they already have four 30-somethings (Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell) locked up through at least 2026-27.

On-ice value: If there was some form of standardized testing for hockey smarts, Guentzel would ace it, probably finishing in the top 10 in the entire NHL. The unassuming 5-foot-11, 180-pound winger's hockey IQ is that high.

Guentzel always finds his way to the most dangerous areas of the ice. As of Monday, he was first in the league in expected goals per game (0.70), third in inner-slot shots per game (1.54), seventh in scoring chances generated off the cycle per game (1.83), and tied for 10th in rebound chances per game (0.34), according to Sportlogiq. It's all led to 19 goals and 27 assists in 42 games.

Guentzel, a two-time 40-goal scorer, is on pace for 37 tallies, and his 36 even-strength points rank fifth in the NHL. Bonus: he's responsible defensively.

What's tricky about Guentzel is that he's played the vast majority of his 9,500 career minutes alongside Crosby, an all-time great. Teasing out what Guentzel can bring to the table on another line for a different team is the chief challenge for front offices thinking about trading for him. Two other challenges: He has a 12-team no-trade list, according to CapFriendly, and he won't be cheap in terms of salary cap hit ($6 million) and acquisition cost (hefty trade package).

Three good fits: Guentzel should reel in something to the effect of one NHL player, one first-round pick, and one decent prospect. The package would grow, of course, if the trade included an extension. The Hurricanes and Oilers both need another finisher on the wing. The Canucks have been linked to Guentzel in part because president Jim Rutherford, general manager Patrik Allvin, and coach Rick Tocchet all know him well from their Pittsburgh tenures.

Elias Lindholm, center

Key report: The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun wrote in late December that it was his understanding there have been no recent conversations between Lindholm and the Flames. The insider also noted Lindholm hasn't been told he's definitely on the move. Still, Calgary appears headed for a retool/rebuild, and acquiring assets for the 29-year-old pending UFA would accelerate things.

On-ice value: Lindholm, in his sixth season in Calgary and 11th overall, is a top-of-the-lineup center whose stock has fluctuated over the past few years.

He peaked in 2021-22. Flanked by Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, Lindholm recorded his first and only point-per-game season. He scored 42 times (his previous high was 29) and finished second in Selke Trophy voting. That trio, dismantled during the 2022 offseason, was dominant wire to wire.

Lindholm has come back down to earth of late. His underlying numbers have declined, and this season, he's pitched in eight goals and 21 assists in 44 games while playing mostly with Yegor Sharangovich, Andrew Mangiapane, and Jonathan Huberdeau. He remains a trusty impact player. The 2013 fifth overall pick leads all Flames forwards in average ice time (20:45) and blocked shots (37) and is enjoying a career year in the faceoff circle (56% win rate).

Lindholm isn't an elite first-line center. On a legitimate Cup contender, he's a strong second-line guy attached to a manageable cap hit ($4.85 million).

Three good fits: If the Flames decide to move Lindholm, they should be able to fetch a first-rounder and either a prospect or a young NHLer. The Bruins have looked better than expected down the middle after losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, yet Lindholm would be a welcomed upgrade, and Boston has its 2025 first-rounder to trade. Meanwhile, the Avalanche and Jets - two other presumed buyers in need of a top-six center - have first-round picks in both 2024 and 2025. Colorado, with underqualified Ross Colton currently occupying the 2C spot on the depth chart, is the tidiest fit on paper.

Noah Hanifin, defenseman

Key report: Hanifin told Sportsnet last week that, as paraphrased by writer Eric Francis, "it's still quiet on the contract front." For context: The blue-liner was close to signing a long-term extension months ago, then talks broke off. Calgary exited the offseason with five notable pending UFAs on its roster - Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov. Backlund re-signed in late September. Zadorov was traded in early December.

On-ice value: With Hanifin on the ice for five-on-five action, the 2023-24 Flames have accounted for 57% of the goals scored (41 for, 31 against). With him off the ice at five-on-five, they've accounted for 44% of the goals (50-64).

Hanifin's regular partner - Tanev, the shot-blocking machine - has certainly influenced those lopsided on/off percentages. However, there's no denying that 21-18-5 Calgary has been a far better team when Hanifin's out there skating, moving the puck, killing plays, and operating with poise and veteran savvy.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and set to celebrate his 27th birthday next week, Hanifin already has 642 games of experience to his name. He's slowly but surely polished his skills to a point where he can now be used in virtually any game situation. He would be a good second-pair guy for the right team.

Hanifin's making $4.95 million and owns an eight-team no-trade list, per CapFriendly. His extension, in Calgary or elsewhere, seems to be trending toward a lengthy term and a cap hit between $7 million and $8 million.

Three good fits: A straightforward Hanifin trade - no salary retention or extension - should net the Flames something along the lines of a first-rounder, a second-rounder, and a low-end NHLer. The Stars and Maple Leafs come to mind. Dallas' blue line thins out after Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley, though money would be tight. Toronto could slot Hanifin behind Morgan Rielly, although, again, there are money issues. The Coyotes, meanwhile, were linked to Hanifin in November. Arizona has oodles of cap space and, amazingly, no NHL defensemen signed for next season. Would Hanifin agree to a sign-and-trade?

Trevor Zegras, center

Key report: Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported last week that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek "has mentioned Zegras' name in conversation with teams this season, though it remains unclear how far (if at all) those talks advanced." That nugget came on the heels of drawn-out contract negotiations in the fall. It's safe to say Verbeek, who didn't draft Zegras or (now-former teammate) Drysdale, may not see Zegras as one of Anaheim's long-term core pieces.

On-ice value: For the next six weeks or so, Zegras' value is, well, nothing. Hurt for more than half of the season thanks to multiple injuries, he's currently nursing a broken ankle. He's accumulated four goals and seven points in 20 games.

That said, the recovery timeline provided by the Ducks gives Zegras a decent chance at returning before the deadline, which means there's a short window for him to be dealt midseason. The creative center is different from the other five players discussed in this story because he'll still be a restricted free agent after the expiry of his current deal ($5.75 million per year through 2025-26).

What's interesting about Zegras is that the hype surrounding him and his game hasn't matched his on-ice contributions. He's supremely skilled, has graced the cover of a video game, and is undoubtedly one of the sport's top personalities. But, through 200 games, he's shown himself to be an offense-only perimeter player who puts up around 65 points every 82 games.

So, it may seem like he's on a superstar trajectory, but he's not. He's yet to give us a reason to buy that narrative yet. He's only 22, though, so there's time to grow. And, if he doesn't level up significantly over the next handful of years, 65 points is still valuable second-line production.

Three good fits: It feels like if Zegras moves, the trade details will look similar to the recent Philadelphia-Anaheim swap: a young NHLer and a second-rounder traded for a blue-chip prospect. The Canadiens have made a habit of acquiring high-pedigree forwards in their 20s who could use a change of scenery (Sean Monahan, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook). The Predators have the right playing style and a long-term role for Zegras. The Blackhawks have about a dozen roster holes to fill and about a dozen desirable picks and prospects to flip.

Elvis Merzlikins and John Gibson, goalies

Key reports: Merzlikins, 29, confirmed this week that he's requested a trade out of Columbus. Gibson, 30, was the subject of trade-request reports in back-to-back offseasons (he/his agent denied both reports), and the idea of him leaving Anaheim has been rumored for years. Both play for non-playoff teams and would be near the top of the list for clubs looking for goalie help.

On-ice values: There are many similarities between Merzlikins and Gibson.

Both goalies fell on hard times over the past few years after posting stellar numbers to start their careers. Both have played in terrible defensive environments and failed to hold up their end of the bargain since signing huge deals; for Merzlikins, $5.4 million a season for five years, expiring in 2026-27, and for Gibson, $6.4 million a season for eight years, expiring in 2026-27. Both have younger goalies nipping at their heels. Both have rebounded this season (Merzlikins more so). Both own 10-team no-trade lists.

Starting goalies rarely change hands. But there may be GMs out there who convince themselves that one of these netminders simply needs a fresh start.

Three good fits: A trade involving Merzlikins or Gibson would almost certainly involve salary retention. A goalie might go the other way. It would be complicated. So, let's forget about what a package might look like and focus on the teams. The Devils, Hurricanes, and Oilers are all in win-now mode and need better starting goalies. The most intriguing aspect of a trade of this kind isn't the upside; it's the downside. Goaltending is such an unpredictable position, and what New Jersey, Carolina, and Edmonton have now might ultimately be a better bet than spending assets to take a chance on one of these veteran netminders - despite how tempting it might be to mix things up.

John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Mitch Marner is upset that his Toronto Maple Leafs keep coughing up leads in crushing losses, but he doesn't want external pressures to frustrate the team.

"Obviously, pissed off about it, but ... all these games we've been playing, we've played some really good hockey," Marner said after the Maple Leafs blew a two-goal lead and lost 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. "We've just given (leads) back. We've had a lot of chances to extend leads in games and haven't done a good job of that."

Toronto's defeat was its fourth straight and fourth in which the club squandered a late lead. Three of the collapses have come in the third period.

Marner believes the team should tune out any criticism about its inability to close out games lately.

"We've got to ignore what everyone else says. We know we're a great hockey team," he said. "We show it every night. I mean, these last four games that we've had leads, we've played some awesome hockey. ... Stuff goes your way sometimes, (and sometimes) stuff doesn't. So for us, we just can't get frustrated at each other. We know we're doing the right things."

Marner added that the Leafs can't "let anything outside of us frustrate us or get us angry" before again referring to what he believes is external pressure to be upset about their recent play.

He said he doesn't feel frustration seeping in but thinks "a lot of people on the outside are trying to do that."

The Maple Leafs have been streaky of late. They lost three straight to conclude 2023, then won all three games on a California road trip and another against the lowly San Jose Sharks at home before the latest four-game skid.

Toronto held a 2-0 lead on Tuesday, but Leon Draisaitl made it 2-1 late in the second period. Derek Ryan tied it early in the third, and Ryan McLeod buried the winner with 3:05 to go before Evan Bouchard's empty-netter sealed Edmonton's franchise-record 11th consecutive victory.

The Leafs fell to 21-13-8 and occupy third place in the Atlantic Division. They're seven points back of the second-place Florida Panthers and one point ahead of the fourth-place Detroit Red Wings with a game in hand on both clubs.

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Mitch Marner is upset that his Toronto Maple Leafs keep coughing up leads in crushing losses, but he doesn't want external pressures to frustrate the team.

"Obviously, pissed off about it, but ... all these games we've been playing, we've played some really good hockey," Marner said after the Maple Leafs blew a two-goal lead and lost 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. "We've just given (leads) back. We've had a lot of chances to extend leads in games and haven't done a good job of that."

Toronto's defeat was its fourth straight and fourth in which the club squandered a late lead. Three of the collapses have come in the third period.

Marner believes the team should tune out any criticism about its inability to close out games lately.

"We've got to ignore what everyone else says. We know we're a great hockey team," he said. "We show it every night. I mean, these last four games that we've had leads, we've played some awesome hockey. ... Stuff goes your way sometimes, (and sometimes) stuff doesn't. So for us, we just can't get frustrated at each other. We know we're doing the right things."

Marner added that the Leafs can't "let anything outside of us frustrate us or get us angry" before again referring to what he believes is external pressure to be upset about their recent play.

He said he doesn't feel frustration seeping in but thinks "a lot of people on the outside are trying to do that."

The Maple Leafs have been streaky of late. They lost three straight to conclude 2023, then won all three games on a California road trip and another against the lowly San Jose Sharks at home before the latest four-game skid.

Toronto held a 2-0 lead on Tuesday, but Leon Draisaitl made it 2-1 late in the second period. Derek Ryan tied it early in the third, and Ryan McLeod buried the winner with 3:05 to go before Evan Bouchard's empty-netter sealed Edmonton's franchise-record 11th consecutive victory.

The Leafs fell to 21-13-8 and occupy third place in the Atlantic Division. They're seven points back of the second-place Florida Panthers and one point ahead of the fourth-place Detroit Red Wings with a game in hand on both clubs.

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