Roman Polak has been activated off injured reserve while Andreas Borgman has been loaned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
Polak last played on Jan. 25, missing three games due to illness. The veteran defenseman was paired with rookie Travis Dermott in the morning skate, according to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star.
"Polak is important," said coach Mike Babcock. "A good player for us, a real good penalty killer. We gave up two power play goals last game (against Boston). Polak fits in and Dermott really seems to move the puck."
Polak has recorded two goals, four assists, and 27 shots in 32 games this season.
With his franchise player set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow doesn't appear to be entertaining the thought of making a preemptive move.
Their chances would be greatly diminished if Snow concluded they can't risk allowing Tavares to leave as a free agent without gaining assets in return, but he's prepared to wait it out in the hopes that the captain will re-sign prior to July 1, or even after weighing his options on the open market.
The Islanders are set to build a new arena in Belmont and will split games between Barclays Center and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the meantime, with Tavares remaining in their plans as the main attraction.
That's the question faced by the NHL's 31 general managers in advance of the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
Here are suggestions on who should do what:
Ducks - Buyers: The ever-dangerous Ducks lost to Nashville in the conference finals last year and are hanging around in the playoff race after overcoming a plethora of early-season injuries.
Coyotes - Sellers: These desert dogs have a bit more bite as of late, but the Coyotes would be well served by making sure they have the best chance at winning the Rasmus Dahlin sweepstakes.
Bruins - Buyers: The better-than-expected Bruins will be searching for an experienced top-six winger to play alongside David Krejci come playoff time, and perhaps an upgrade on the blue line.
Sabres - Sellers: Another case of "failure to launch" in Buffalo as the Sabres continue to play the role of the middle-aged child who has become way too comfortable living in the basement.
Flames - Buyers: The signing of Jaromir Jagr didn't pay off for the Flames, and his departure leaves a hole up front on a team with potential to go on a run come playoff time.
Hurricanes - Buyers: New owner Tom Dundon is disappointed with where the Hurricanes sit in the standings, and - with Carolina only two points out of a wild card spot - may encourage GM Ron Francis to make a push for the team's first playoff berth since 2009.
Blackhawks - Buyers: No matter where the Blackhawks sit in the standings, they'll always be going for it as long as the core remains intact.
Avalanche - Buyers: With a major trade already in the books, cap space to use, and a wild-card spot in their sights, the Avalanche could go either way, but why not make a push to cap a remarkable turnaround from a historically awful 2016-17?
Blue Jackets - Buyers: In the midst of another strong regular season, the Blue Jackets have yet to win a single playoff round.
Stars - Buyers: The Stars often make offseason moves that make them seem like contenders, and GM Jim Nill needs to make sure his team doesn't fade when it matters most.
Red Wings - Sellers: The Red Wings have reportedly let it be known they're in sell mode, and defenseman Mike Green is likely to command a lot of attention.
Oilers - Sellers: Despite Cam Talbot's claim the Oilers will make the playoffs, this season is a write-off, and asset mismanagement is a big reason why.
Panthers - Sellers: Much to the delight of the Golden Knights, the Panthers did some selling in advance of the expansion draft, so maybe GM Dale Tallon should sit this round out.
Kings - Buyers: Like the Blackhawks, the Kings have a Cup-winning core intact, but some pieces need to be added to the puzzle in order to properly contend.
Wild - Sellers: The Wild are a bubble team with little cap space to spare, so it might be worth trying to get something in return for expiring contracts.
Canadiens - Sellers: It's been a very disappointing season for the Canadiens, a team that may not want to rely on the current regime to kickstart a rebuild based on recent trade history.
Predators - Buyers: The Predators already made a huge splash in acquiring Kyle Turris, but Nashville learned the hard way last year that roster depth is so important in the quest for the Cup, hence the pending return of Mike Fisher.
Devils - Buyers: The Devils are in a weird spot, better than most thought but not quite ready to contend, meaning it may be best to stand pat and look at a trade candidate like Drew Stafford as an internal rental. although teams may come calling for him.
Islanders - Buyers: Uncertainty in regards to the long-term status of John Tavares hangs over the Islanders, but this high-scoring team needs an upgrade in net as soon as possible.
Rangers - Sellers: Like Detroit, the Rangers are a team that's reportedly made it clear they're willing to deal.
Senators - Sellers: After coming within a goal of advancing to the Final a year ago, the Senators look lost, and GM Pierre Dorion could realistically trade anyone, even Erik Karlsson.
Flyers - Buyers: The Flyers are right on the playoff bubble after missing out last season, and with one of the best lines in hockey (Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Couturier), they could surprise with a little help.
Penguins - Buyers: The Penguins have been in search of a third-line center for quite some time, and we should all expect reinforcements to arrive in the push for a threepeat.
Sharks - Sellers: With Joe Thornton sidelined indefinitely, the Sharks might be set to sink rather than swim.
Blues - Buyers: The Blues don't have much cap space to work with, but in a wide-open Western Conference, the door is open to go deep, and they'll surely look for help at the deadline.
Lightning - Buyers: The Lightning are hungry for a Cup win, and it's almost guaranteed that GM Steve Yzerman will make a move, with the only question being how thunderous.
Maple Leafs - Buyers: The Maple Leafs have a bunch of pending free agents up front that can be flipped for help or held onto for a postseason run, and there's clearly a need to upgrade on the blue line.
Canucks - Sellers: For some reason the Canucks seem intent on re-signing Erik Gudbranson, but expect Thomas Vanek to be moved, with the potential for a Sedin brothers deal also in play.
Golden Knights - Buyers: The Golden Knights are playing with house money as an expansion team with a very real opportunity to contend for the Cup in year one, so why not go all in?
Capitals - Buyers: The Capitals are hanging around with the NHL's best despite losing some key players after another failed playoff run, and as long as Alex Ovechkin is scoring goals at a high rate, there's a chance things could work out one of these years.
Jets - Buyers: The loss of Jacob Trouba for an extended period of time means the Jets should look to add on defense, while some added scoring could help this franchise finally win its first playoff game since entering the league back in 1999-2000.
While Holl is likely to be sent back to the AHL once some regulars return to health, it appears as though Dermott has shown enough to warrant further evaluation with the big club, according to star center Auston Matthews at least.
"He's got a lot of confidence," Matthews said after Wednesday's win, per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet. "He's not afraid to carry the puck. He's skilled. He can play both ways with the puck. Good skater. Sees the ice well. Makes guys around him better so it's always fun going out there with guys that can play like that."
Dermott, 21, has appeared in nine games for the Leafs after being drafted 34th overall in 2015, recording a goal and two assists in an average of 15:36 of ice time per game.
He's also posted a Corsi For rating of 54.79 in 5-on-5 play, meaning he's been on the ice for more shot attempts for Toronto than against.
The Leafs are well locked into an Atlantic Division playoff spot with the trade deadline set for Feb. 26, and Dermott's emergence may give management reason to pause before looking to drastically upgrade the blue line.
Zaitsev has been sidelined since Dec. 15 with a broken foot.
His return marks a positive development for a blue line that's still without Morgan Rielly, who is out with an arm injury.
Through 34 games this season, Zaitsev has recorded four goals and six assists in 22:51 of ice time per outing, second on the team in average ice time only to Jake Gardiner.
Zaitsev has been sidelined since Dec. 15 with a broken foot.
His return marks a positive development for a blue line that's still without Morgan Rielly, who is out with an arm injury.
Through 34 games this season, Zaitsev has recorded four goals and six assists in 22:51 of ice time per outing, second on the team in average ice time only to Jake Gardiner.
Boeser recorded the game-winning goal for the Pacific Division in the semifinal round, and followed it up with a goal and an assist in a final victory over the Atlantic Division.
The 20-year-old was given a 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, and a successful weekend triggers a few bonuses in his contract.
How was your weekend? Brock Boeser takes home almost $550,000 - and a car for #NHLAllStar MVP. $212,500 bonus making team $212,500 bonus MVP $91,000 winning team split $25,000 shooting accuracy win
Both Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith stopped seven of eight shots against for the Pacific. Pekka Rinne made four saves on four shots for the Central, but Connor Hellebuyck allowed three goals on eight shots in the losing effort.
The Pacific await the winner of the second semifinal between the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions.
To be named All-Star Game MVP may not be the pinnacle of personal hockey achievement, but some of the NHL's greatest have their names on that list, and it remains a nice moment for individuals as all NHL eyes are on the event.
Here, then, is the best - for various reasons - All-Star MVP candidate from the league's four divisions.
Atlantic - Steven Stamkos
This time last year, Stamkos was sidelined with a major leg injury, just months after re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and cementing himself as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Stamkos cited loyalty and "unfinished business" as reasons for remaining with the club in lieu of hitting the open market, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Now back at full strength, Stamkos is in the midst of making good on that promise; he's on pace to match his career-high 97 points set in 2011-12 while helping the Lightning rebound from missing the playoffs in 2017 to challenging for the Presidents' Trophy and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup in 2018.
With Tampa Bay in the spotlight as the All-Star host city, it would be fitting for the Lightning captain to shine as the brightest star on his own turf.
Metropolitan - Brian Boyle
During training camp, New Jersey Devils center Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of bone marrow cancer.
Boyle missed the campaign's first 10 games, but made his season debut Nov. 1. In 38 games since, he's scored 11 goals, and could very well match the 21 he scored over 82 games with the New York Rangers in 2011-12.
A last-minute addition to the Metropolitan Division roster as a result of an injury to teammate Taylor Hall, Boyle's presence in Tampa will be even more special considering he was a member of the Lightning roster that advanced to the Cup Final in 2015.
He's sure to be warmly welcomed by the home crowd, and would be the unlikeliest of MVP's due to maybe not being as skilled and experienced at three-on-three play as his peers.
But that's exactly what would help make it an All-Star Game to remember.
Central - P.K. Subban
It's time for Subban to be acknowledged as one of the premiere faces of the NHL.
Fresh off an appearance on "The Daily Show" where he talked about the $10-million commitment he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and his Blueline Buddies program that pairs Nashville police officers with underprivileged kids at Predators games, Subban has already taken Tampa by storm after hosting a free concert Friday.
As a leading candidate to win his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, he wants to be known as a top defensive player, but he also knows how to put on a show offensively.
Voted as captain of the Central Division squad, a large section of hockey fans appreciate all that he brings to the game, both on and off the ice. A defenseman hasn't been named All-Star MVP since Ray Bourque in 1996, and Subban is as able as anyone to buck that trend.
The accolade would hopefully push the NHL to ensure Subban is at the forefront of campaigns to grow the game.
Pacific - Marc-Andre Fleury
The emergence of the Vegas Golden Knights is easily one of the best hockey stories in years, and a key to that has been the play of goaltender Fleury.
Seemingly exiled to the desert after a long, successful, and emotional run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury's debut season with the expansion franchise got off to a bumpy start as a result of a concussion suffered in his fourth start.
But the 33-year-old was back between the pipes in mid-December and is playing some of the best hockey of his career as Vegas challenges for first overall in the NHL. In 18 games, Fleury has a 12-4-2 record and his .942 save percentage is good for second among all goalies.
Fleury is well respected around the hockey world, and his effusive smile easily draws fans in. A rare goalie MVP nod would add to Vegas' crazy introduction to the NHL, and would be sure to expose the rest of the hockey world to that smile.
To be named All-Star Game MVP may not be the pinnacle of personal hockey achievement, but some of the NHL's greatest have their names on that list, and it remains a nice moment for individuals as all NHL eyes are on the event.
Here, then, is the best - for various reasons - All-Star MVP candidate from the league's four divisions.
Atlantic - Steven Stamkos
This time last year, Stamkos was sidelined with a major leg injury, just months after re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and cementing himself as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Stamkos cited loyalty and "unfinished business" as reasons for remaining with the club in lieu of hitting the open market, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Now back at full strength, Stamkos is in the midst of making good on that promise; he's on pace to match his career-high 97 points set in 2011-12 while helping the Lightning rebound from missing the playoffs in 2017 to challenging for the Presidents' Trophy and, more importantly, the Stanley Cup in 2018.
With Tampa Bay in the spotlight as the All-Star host city, it would be fitting for the Lightning captain to shine as the brightest star on his own turf.
Metropolitan - Brian Boyle
During training camp, New Jersey Devils center Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of bone marrow cancer.
Boyle missed the campaign's first 10 games, but made his season debut Nov. 1. In 38 games since, he's scored 11 goals, and could very well match the 21 he scored over 82 games with the New York Rangers in 2011-12.
A last-minute addition to the Metropolitan Division roster as a result of an injury to teammate Taylor Hall, Boyle's presence in Tampa will be even more special considering he was a member of the Lightning roster that advanced to the Cup Final in 2015.
He's sure to be warmly welcomed by the home crowd, and would be the unlikeliest of MVP's due to maybe not being as skilled and experienced at three-on-three play as his peers.
But that's exactly what would help make it an All-Star Game to remember.
Central - P.K. Subban
It's time for Subban to be acknowledged as one of the premiere faces of the NHL.
Fresh off an appearance on "The Daily Show" where he talked about the $10-million commitment he made to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and his Blueline Buddies program that pairs Nashville police officers with underprivileged kids at Predators games, Subban has already taken Tampa by storm after hosting a free concert Friday.
As a leading candidate to win his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, he wants to be known as a top defensive player, but he also knows how to put on a show offensively.
Voted as captain of the Central Division squad, a large section of hockey fans appreciate all that he brings to the game, both on and off the ice. A defenseman hasn't been named All-Star MVP since Ray Bourque in 1996, and Subban is as able as anyone to buck that trend.
The accolade would hopefully push the NHL to ensure Subban is at the forefront of campaigns to grow the game.
Pacific - Marc-Andre Fleury
The emergence of the Vegas Golden Knights is easily one of the best hockey stories in years, and a key to that has been the play of goaltender Fleury.
Seemingly exiled to the desert after a long, successful, and emotional run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fleury's debut season with the expansion franchise got off to a bumpy start as a result of a concussion suffered in his fourth start.
But the 33-year-old was back between the pipes in mid-December and is playing some of the best hockey of his career as Vegas challenges for first overall in the NHL. In 18 games, Fleury has a 12-4-2 record and his .942 save percentage is good for second among all goalies.
Fleury is well respected around the hockey world, and his effusive smile easily draws fans in. A rare goalie MVP nod would add to Vegas' crazy introduction to the NHL, and would be sure to expose the rest of the hockey world to that smile.
