The new slimmer pants were made mandatory as of Saturday night, and after going nearly perfect in a 1-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night, Rinne hinted that he actually prefers the new equipment.
Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Frederik Andersen didn't throw much shade toward the new pants despite allowing five goals on 41 shots in a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins, noting they did little to impede his play.
"No, not really," Andersen said post game. "Maybe restricting a little bit moving around but that's how it is with new gear. I'm sure I'll focus on getting that fixed."
In all, 74 goals were scored in 13 games Saturday night, an average of nearly six goals per game, but only time will tell if the new pants will lead to more goals.
The Toronto Maple Leafs set their longest regulation losing streak of the season Thursday night, thanks to a 5-1 shelling from the St. Louis Blues.
With the loss, the team has now dropped three consecutive games in regulation, the team's longest stretch without a point this season.
The club remains confident in itself, but as defenseman Morgan Rielly insists, the team has little to hang their hat on of late.
"The confidence is there. We have lots of confidence in our group, we don't have a lot to be proud of right now," Rielly said postgame. "We have two outings that didn't go our way and we're not very happy with so, if anything, we have that much more motivation going into a big game against a team within the division. There's no reason to start getting concerned, it's just a matter of trying to get our focus back and make sure we know what to think. Just get playing our game again."
The Maple Leafs fell 2-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers just prior to the All-Star break, but it's been their first two games coming out of the time off that have been the most troubling.
The team fell 6-3 to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. A game that saw the Maple Leafs surrender five first-period goals and followed it up with Thursday's miserable display. The club has now given up 11 goals in their last two games.
As far as James van Riemsdyk is concerned, the team is better than how they have looked in their last few games, and getting back on track shouldn't take much mending.
"I'm sure everyone realizes where we're at in the standings and what part of the season we're at," said van Riemsdyk. "We know we've got more to give, we've got better hockey we're capable of playing, and it's just a matter of going out there, executing, working, and doing the things we know how to do."
The Maple Leafs will need to put that all together starting Saturday night. Toronto will play their most meaningful game in some time when they take on the Boston Bruins who sit three points ahead of the team and who have played five more games than them.
While everyone continues to salivate over the potential of seeing many blockbusters go down this trade deadline season, it's time to scale things back a bit.
While names likes Matt Duchene, Ben Bishop, and Marc-Andre Fleury continue to be thrown around, it's important to recall almost every other trade deadline of the past five years.
Time and time again rumors of big name players on the move have run rampant only to see general managers fail to deliver. Be that an uneasiness to pay a hard bargain or an unwillingness to give up a player for cheap, the big fish usually aren't dealt until the offseason.
Be that as it may, this season sees - among the perennial stars - a collection of names that are slam dunks to be dealt ahead of this year's trade deadline. Let's check out that crop of players:
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla made his intentions known this week that not only is he open to a trade, he would welcome one to a playoff contender.
The future Hall-of-Famer understands his career is coming to an end and he would love one last crack at winning the Stanley Cup.
As for the Avalanche - a team primed to start a rebuild - the club has literally no reason to keep him. The team's playoff aspirations died weeks ago, while Iginla will become an unrestricted free agent and is most likely to retire at season's end. A deal of any magnitude would be a gain for Colorado.
Of course, how serendipitous would it be if the Calgary Flames could make the postseason and acquire their former captain?
Martin Hanzal
Much like Iginla, Martin Hanzal is on an expiring contract and can be counted on to be shipped out of Arizona.
The Coyotes forward has had his name in rumors for the better part of the season and it should be only a matter of time before a deal is done.
What does seem peculiar - and what could be slowing things down - is the rather substantial demand by the Coyotes. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last week that the Montreal Canadiens had interest in Hanzal and that the asking price was a first-round pick, forward Michael McCarron, and a conditional draft pick.
It's a lot for a player who has never cracked the 20-goal plateau, but with nothing to gain standing pat, count Hanzal in as one to be moved before March 1.
Thomas Vanek
If you haven't caught the common theme here yet, it's that all the players on this list will become free agents this summer.
While Thomas Vanek has fared admirably with the Detroit Red Wings this season, the Red Wings are likely to go in a different (younger) direction going forward, and for that expect Vanek to be dealt before the deadline.
Vanek is a cost-effective option for teams - only making $2.6 million - while his 31 points in 38 games on a club that sits in the Eastern Conference basement is not too shabby.
Factor in his history of producing as a rental player and he is the perfect candidate for a contending team looking for added depth.
Radim Vrbata
Much like Vanek, Radim Vrbata is a great candidate for depth scoring at a bargain.
His contract is bonus-laden with a $1-million cap hit and bonuses that pay him extra if he hits either the 20-goal mark or the 40-point plateau, as well as for playoff rounds won, eventually capping off at $3.25 million.
It might scare off some teams, but if that's the cost of winning in the playoffs, you'd likely be hard-pressed to find a team that wouldn't be willing to fork that over.
He provides value, and with the Coyotes continuing to rebuild, don't expect him back after March 1.
Kevin Shattenkirk
With high-end talent on the table, the risk of teams standing pat at the deadline always remains an option.
However, the St. Louis Blues saw how this worked out last season and they're unlikely to follow the same path with Kevin Shattenkirk. The club watched as captain David Backes and Troy Brouwer both signed elsewhere on July 1 last year, proving when in doubt, sell at the deadline.
There appears to be high interest in Shattenkirk and rightfully so as the 28-year-old sits fourth among all defensemen in scoring with 35 points in 51 games.
He's a power-play specialist which in tight postseason hockey could be the difference between a long playoff run and an early exit.
The St. Louis Blues relieved Hitchcock of his duties on Wednesday, but the Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss doesn't think Hitchcock's career is over yet.
"I don't believe he's going away to retire, I just don't believe that," Babcock said, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "Someone will be happy to have him."
The Maple Leafs will take on the Blues in the club's first game with Mike Yeo as its head coach on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, a certain expansion franchise remains without a head coach.
Stars forward Patrick Sharp admitted to reporters ahead of the teams' clash Tuesday that when he's not watching or playing with his own team, he keeps an eye on the Maple Leafs.
"Whenever the Stars aren't on the ice, I am watching the Leafs," Sharp said, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun. "They're exciting. Great for the league."
Markov's return from a 19-game absence with a lower-body injury will see him slotted with newly acquired Nikia Nesterov, according to TSN's Amanda Stein.
Nesterov was acquired by the club Thursday for blue-liner Jonathan Racine and a 2017 sixth-round pick.
Markov's return will provide a huge boost to the team as the 38-year-old currently leads all Canadiens defensemen in points per game this season, having posted 21 in just 31 games.
Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."
Calgary Flames
Plus: A win over the Senators prior to the All-Star break helped ease the stress of a previous four-game losing skid. Goals from Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan were both welcome sights in the 3-2 victory.
Minus: Despite the win, Calgary still finished the week 1-2-0, giving up 11 goals in that stretch. The Flames need to be better if they hope to maintain their current playoff spot, and that starts with goaltending.
Take: Gaudreau wasn't just the Flames' lone All-Star representative in Los Angeles; he was arguably the most dominant player at the event. The 23-year-old had four points in two games, along with a plethora of chances. He'll hope his offensive surge can translate back to regular-season play.
Edmonton Oilers
Plus: A 7-2-1 stretch before the break, highlighted by dominant wins over the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, propelled Edmonton into a tie for the Pacific Division lead.
Connor McDavid also had an eventful weekend at his first All-Star event, capturing the fastest skater award.
Minus: Milan Lucic has found the back of the net just once in his last 16 games. The Oilers are rolling, but added contributions from their $6-million man would go a long way toward keeping momentum.
Take: Edmonton is red hot, averaging five goals per game in its last three. The team now has four games before its mandated bye week, and it'll be crucial to pick up points before the schedule gets even more condensed down the stretch.
Montreal Canadiens
Plus: He's still got it.
Shea Weber picked up his third straight hardest shot title at Saturday's skills competition. The 31-year-old also used his cannon to score two goals in Montreal's last four games.
Take: The Canadiens' grasp on the Atlantic Division is slowly slipping. The team now holds just a seven-point lead over the Senators, who have three games in hand. Don't look now, but this division race is far from over.
Ottawa Senators
Plus: Mike Condon. Outside of a rare seven-goal outing against the Blue Jackets just over a week ago, Ottawa's netminder has been a rock.
Minus:Derick Brassard has gone eight games since he last scored. The 29-year-old has just eight goals and 25 points on the year, one less in each category than New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad does in 23 fewer games. The trade seemingly has a clear winner - and it isn't Ottawa.
Take: Speaking of trades, the Senators pulled off what should be the first of many ahead of the deadline, acquiring Tommy Wingels from San Jose. Sure, it's not a big name or the top-six forward the Senators are looking for, but props to management for the minor upgrade and getting the trade train rolling.
Minus: It's a drum that warrants beating once again; the Maple Leafs will need to be better in back-to-back games. The club was uninspired in their latest attempt against the Flyers, but with seven more chances there's no room for fatigue.
Take: With games against the Stars, Blues, and Bruins this week, picking up points will be crucial. The Maple Leafs' offense should take advantage of playing two Western Conference clubs with poor goaltending. Meanwhile, Toronto can take advantage of its games in hand on the Bruins with a victory on Saturday.
Vancouver Canucks
Plus: Like Gaudreau, Bo Horvat had an inspired All-Star tournament, picking up four points in two games, and proving he's certainly a star on the rise.
Minus: The Canucks stumbled into the All-Star break, earning just two points against the bottom-feeding Avalanche and Coyotes. That included a disastrous 3-0 loss to Arizona that saw Vancouver go almost half the game without a single shot on goal.
Take: The Canucks remain within striking distance of a playoff spot. With just two remaining back-to-back sets and with its bye week approaching, Vancouver has one of the lighter schedules in February. It will be important to capitalize if the team wants to remain serious about a postseason berth.
Winnipeg Jets
Plus: Yes, the Jets' top line has been great all year, but lately it's Bryan Little who's been torching the opposition.
Little has nine points over his last five contests - nearly two per game - including four multi-point outings.
Minus: No matter who mans the net these days, pucks are still going in. The Jets have gone 3-5-1 in their last nine games, allowing at least three goals in each. Whether it's Ondrej Pavelec or not, someone needs to stop the puck.
Take: PatrikLaine appeared to have some All-Star jitters in his debut.
He couldn't replicate his superb time from the accuracy contest at the Jets' skills competition - which would have won him the All-Star event - and went pointless in the Central's crushing 10-3 loss to the Pacific.
Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine has set his mark as he prepares for his first career All-Star Skills Competition.
Laine will be among those taking part in the accuracy shooting contest, and - with a certain swagger - is hoping to improve on his time in the Jets' skills contest.
"I think I'm pretty good at it, but there are a some others guys who are pretty good too," Laine told reporters. "So, let's see how good I am against these guys. Try to improve my time from the Jets' skills competition."
Of course, that will be easier said than done. Laine torched the Jets' skills competition going 4-for-4 in a time of just 8.4 seconds.
For the second straight year, the NHL All-Star weekend will feature a 3-on-3 tournament in place of the traditional two-team game.
Last year's tournament was a welcomed and thrilling change of pace to All-Star Games of the past, thanks to a cash incentive to the winners of the tournament which gave players a reason to put forth a greater effort than that seen in your local beer leagues.
Of course with 3-on-3 hockey, fans can expect speed, skill, and chaos above all else. With that in mind, here are some potential trios from each team that could make for must-see TV:
Atlantic
Kucherov, Matthews, Karlsson
This trio would make for one fun, fast, and dynamic line.
Auston Matthews and Nikita Kucherov up front represent the two purest scoring talents in the Atlantic. Enter Erik Karlsson, who along with ridiculous speed hones arguably the most lethal scoring ability of any defenseman in the league.
Metropolitan
Crosby, Ovechkin, Tavares
No defense, no problem.
Yes, in a conventional trio, coaches would like to have at least one defenseman on the ice, but hell, this is the All-Star Game and we want to see goals.
Of course, the idea of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin teaming up is always compelling, and with Evgeni Malkin sitting the tournament out (he would have been the third member of this trio), John Tavares slots in as a very capable replacement.
Bring on the goals.
Central
Kane, Laine, Subban
Now this one would be fun.
We have the former Art Ross Trophy winner and stick-handling magician in Patrick Kane, the rookie sniper in Patrik Laine, and the new King of Nashville in P.K. Subban.
Kane can create plays, make defenseman look silly, and would serve as the perfect setup man for either Laine or Subban, who both boast incredible releases.
Pacific
McDavid, Carter, Burns
In this corner, we have the league's leading point-producer, the second-highest goal scorer, and the Norris Trophy frontrunner.
The 2017 edition All Star Game will mark a first for Connor McDavid, and unfortunately, the pressure will likely be on him to mesmerize. Sorry Connor, people can be so demanding.
McDavid can take over any game he is in with his incredible speed. He will also have one of the purest snipers in the game in Jeff Carter at his disposal. Then there's Brent Burns, who is also flirting with the NHL points lead.
Sure, there's no John Scott-type player in this year's game, but with a plethora of talented players on each squad, there shouldn't be any less excitement this year.
Brendan Shanahan, Luc Robitaille, and Brett Hull were all named among the NHL's 100 greatest players on Friday night. To capture the moment, Robitaille made sure to capture the trio in a selfie.
