The New Jersey Devils have their Hart Trophy candidate back.

Jack Hughes returned to the lineup Saturday with a pair of assists in the Devils' 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hughes sat out the previous four games due to what the club called an upper-body injury. With an assist on Dougie Hamilton's power-play goal in the second period, Hughes extended his personal point streak to 10 games. He has nine goals and 20 points over that span.

Hughes added his second point setting up Jasper Bratt's third period goal, pushing his season points total to 69.

Devils captain Nico Hischier added two goals and two assists for New Jersey, giving him his first-career four-point game.

The 21-year-old Hughes represented the Devils at the All-Star Game earlier this month. He sustained the injury playing against his brother, Quinn, and the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 6.

Hughes entered Saturday leading the NHL in both wins above replacement and goals above replacement, according to Evolving Hockey.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar is in Saturday's lineup against the St. Louis Blues, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed, according to the Denver Gazette's Kyle Fredrickson.

Makar missed the previous four games due to a head injury.

The reigning Norris and Conn Smythe Trophy winner has racked up 13 goals and 32 assists while leading the NHL in average ice time with a whopping 27:04 in 45 contests this season.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Allan Walsh is taking aim at the Calgary Flames and perhaps head coach Darryl Sutter.

The outspoken agent, who represents Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau, tagged the club in a critical tweet Thursday night.

One day later, Huberdeau said he wasn't aware of Walsh's tweet until Friday morning.

"It doesn't come from me," Huberdeau told the media, including TSN. "Yeah, it's my agent, but it's from him. It's his account. He made that tweet, so that doesn't reflect on me or on the guys. We all love each other, we're a close team, and we've got to grind this out and make the playoffs."

The 29-year-old offered a playful response when asked if he would've preferred Walsh not put his team on blast.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be here right now, talking to you guys," Huberdeau said with a laugh, according to Sportsnet's Eric Francis. "I'd be on my way home."

Huberdeau also tried to downplay any potential concerns about his relationship with Sutter.

"Darryl is Darryl. Sometimes you won't like what the coach (does). Some nights you do like it," he said. "You're never 100% happy with the coach's decision ... but me and Darryl have a great connection, great friendship, and you know, he's good. He wants to win just like us."

When Sutter was asked specifically about Walsh's assertion that the joy was being sucked out of Flames players, he pointed out that Huberdeau is Walsh's only client on the team.

"That's not really 'players,' is it?" the bench boss asked.

Sutter also insisted tweets won't impact his team's chemistry.

"Social media and what anybody says doesn't affect a locker room ever. Ever," he said. "When you've got a tight group, you keep it tight."

The Flames were expected to be one of the best teams in the Pacific Division and the NHL as a whole this season following a wild summer in which they responded to Johnny Gaudreau's departure in free agency by acquiring Huberdeau and defenseman Mackenzie Weegar from the Florida Panthers in a trade for Matthew Tkachuk.

However, Calgary has underachieved in 2022-23, as the squad sits fifth in the division after Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Flames have matched the Minnesota Wild's 61 points through 55 games, but the Wild currently occupy the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference because they have a game in hand.

Huberdeau has been by far the club's most disappointing skater this campaign. He's produced only 10 goals and 26 assists in 52 games after tying a career high with 30 goals and obliterating his previous personal best with 85 assists across 80 contests.

Walsh has a history of stirring the pot in service of his clients. In summer 2020, he tweeted a photo of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury - then of the Vegas Golden Knights - featuring a superimposed sword inscribed with head coach Peter DeBoer's name stabbing the netminder in the back.

Thursday's tweet wasn't Walsh's first time criticizing the Flames, either. In 2018, the agent questioned why Michael Frolik was a healthy scratch and wondered if his client was being run out of town.

Walsh's other clients include injured Carolina Hurricanes star Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin, and Red Wings skaters David Perron and Filip Hronek.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2022-23 NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and we've already seen some significant moves.

Bo Horvat and Vladimir Tarasenko were two of the best players available before they were sent packing by their former teams, but plenty of other big names could join them in being shipped out before March 3. Many of them are pending unrestricted free agents, as usual, but some - including the No. 1 player on the market - are either pending restricted free agents or still have term left on their contracts beyond this season.

On this list, we've taken the talent of each player into account but also considered their likelihood of being dealt. For example, Erik Karlsson would be near the top of the rankings if not for an expensive and lengthy contract that makes an offseason trade more likely.

Here are the top candidates to be dealt before deadline day:

1. Timo Meier

Meier is unquestionably the top dog on the list, and that's noteworthy, considering who else appears to be available. The San Jose Sharks sniper reportedly has no shortage of suitors. He's already hit the 30-goal mark this season for the third time in his career, impressively building off a 2021-22 campaign in which he scored 35 times while adding 41 assists.

2. Jakob Chychrun

It seems like Chychrun's been on the trade block forever, but at least the saga appears to be nearing a conclusion. The Arizona Coyotes are holding him out of games for trade-related reasons "until something happens," so his days in the desert certainly appear numbered. As has been the case for a while now, the term and digestive cap hit on the skilled blue-liner's pact further enhance his value.

3. Patrick Kane

Kane still hasn't decided whether to waive his no-move clause, but the Chicago Blackhawks playmaker seemed genuinely disappointed when the New York Rangers landed Tarasenko. Numerous other teams have expressed interest in Kane, which isn't surprising given his track record. The accomplished veteran could still give a contender an offensive boost even if his best days are behind him.

4. Ryan O'Reilly

The Tarasenko trade was a clear sign that the St. Louis Blues have accepted the fact that they're unlikely to make the playoffs this season. Dealing O'Reilly would be a logical next step, as painful as it would be for the club to ship out its captain and Conn Smythe Trophy winner from their 2019 championship run. Given his experience and two-way prowess, the versatile pivot would significantly bolster a contender if the Blues choose that route rather than extend him.

5. Vladislav Gavrikov

Chychrun isn't the only defenseman being scratched to avoid sustaining an injury that would scuttle a trade. The Columbus Blue Jackets are doing the same with Gavrikov, a steady defensive blue-liner offering stability on the back end. He's a little older than Chychrun and doesn't have the term, but his even more team-friendly cap hit should help him attract plenty of interest.

6. Ivan Barbashev

If the Blues opt to re-sign O'Reilly, shipping Barbashev out would make sense given his potential free agency, his trade value thanks to an extremely team-friendly contract, and considering the Russian is much more expendable despite his skill set. He's come back down to earth after a breakout 2021-22 season, but St. Louis has struggled as a whole. Competitive clubs would be wise to consider adding him for depth.

7. Brock Boeser

The Vancouver Canucks already parted with their biggest trade chip in Horvat, but Boeser should also garner some interest. He's having a somewhat disappointing season, though so are the Canucks as a whole. Other teams may figure he'd rediscover his scoring touch with a change of scenery, and while the American's AAV isn't ideal, the fact that he's under contract for two more seasons could make him more of a target.

8. Jake McCabe

The Blackhawks are clearly open for business, and their franchise icons aren't the only ones who could be headed elsewhere. McCabe has decent value as a left-shot blue-liner with both term and a palatable AAV. He's playing on Chicago's top pairing and would be a capable top-four rearguard on a contender.

9. Erik Karlsson

Karlsson is obviously the best offensive defenseman on this list, but again, he's not the most likely blue-liner to be traded. That being said, the Edmonton Oilers reportedly got back in touch with the Sharks to discuss acquiring him after touching base earlier in the campaign. A summer swap would make far more sense given the Norris Trophy favorite's hefty contract, but a deadline deal's not completely far-fetched if San Jose can find a legit trade partner (or two) to make the money work.

10. Jonathan Toews

Toews is in the exact same boat as Kane, both in terms of his contract and the fact that "Captain Serious" has yet to decide on his future. Toews would be higher on this list, but an illness has kept him out of action since before the All-Star break, and that may be giving previously interested teams pause - especially given he missed an entire season due to illness in 2021.

11. Tyler Bertuzzi

Bertuzzi's 2022-23 season has been marred by injuries, and the Detroit Red Wings forward's production has suffered as result. But we doubt other teams have forgotten the 30 goals and 32 assists he notched in only 68 games last season or the two other 21-goal campaigns he produced earlier in his career. The Ontario-born winger's health is a concern, but he's contributing again now that he's healthy and is a legitimate trade candidate as a result.

12. Sam Lafferty

Yet another Blackhawks skater appears likely to be moved. While Lafferty doesn't have the name recognition of his more coveted teammates, the versatile forward has an extremely team-friendly AAV along with term, which could entice cap-constrained clubs looking to solidify their bottom six.

13. James van Riemsdyk

Some of the Philadelphia Flyers have flown under the radar this season amid the team's struggles, and one of those players is van Riemsdyk. He's Philly's second-highest-paid forward and will turn 34 in May, but he's posted favorable underlying numbers despite the Flyers' lackluster play. The American winger missed all of November with a broken finger, but he's been healthy for a while now and offers a combination of playmaking ability and experience.

14. John Klingberg

Klingberg's failed bet on himself has been well-documented, but he's still appealing for a couple of reasons. Since the calendar flipped to 2023, the Anaheim Ducks rearguard has raised his offensive game and started to play like he has for most of his career. Also, it may not be a coincidence that as of Jan. 1, his previously full no-trade clause turned into a modified one with a 10-team list of teams he'd be willing to join.

15. Shayne Gostisbehere

Gostisbehere has been surprisingly productive for the Coyotes in 2022-23, and he's in the final season of the six-year deal Philadelphia gave him in 2017 before trading him to Arizona in 2021. The market for defensemen is robust, but Gostisbehere is worth a longer look than many other options.

16. Luke Schenn

The fact that there's a market for Schenn isn't too surprising. He's a grizzled vet with playoff experience and a couple of Stanley Cup rings, to boot, not to mention an ideal AAV. Contenders looking to bolster their top four on the back end should probably look elsewhere, but he'd be a decent addition as a third-pairing guy.

17. Joel Edmundson

Edmundson's not the most appealing defenseman available, but he's a good bet to be traded as the Montreal Canadiens' rebuild continues. His defensive metrics aren't pretty this season, but that could be partially a result of playing for one of the worst teams in the league. He's got term and a reasonable AAV. Plus, he helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.

18. Max Domi

The list of likely available Blackhawks doesn't end with Lafferty. Domi has been streaky but fairly effective while playing primarily as Chicago's top-line center, and he also occupies the net-front position on the team's top power-play unit. The former Coyote, Canadien, Blue Jacket, and Carolina Hurricane's positional flexibility makes him even more intriguing as a potential addition.

19. Sean Monahan

The Canadiens could look to move Monahan, considering he's playing on an expiring deal. His AAV won't make that easy, though, and he can also submit a 10-team no-trade list. The ex-Calgary Flames forward has been out since December due to injury but is nearing a return and could fetch the Habs an asset if he heals up before the deadline.

20. Jesse Puljujarvi

Speaking of once-promising players who've fizzled out over the years, Puljujarvi's time with the Oilers could be drawing to a close. As with Monahan, the Swedish-born Finn's AAV isn't ideal, but teams may believe a change of scenery can help Puljujarvi unlock his true potential.

21. Matt Dumba

Much like with Chychrun, it's hard to remember when Dumba wasn't on the trade block. It's been another uncertain season for the Minnesota Wild rearguard, who head coach Dean Evason twice made a healthy scratch earlier in the campaign. Dumba isn't playing like he has in the past, and both his AAV and 10-team no-trade list make a deal more difficult. He could be a worthwhile depth addition, though the Wild may not become sellers if they stay in a playoff spot.

22. Karel Vejmelka

It's pretty rare that a relatively young goaltender with term and a team-friendly cap hit gets traded, but this is the Coyotes we're talking about. Vejmelka's underlying numbers have been stellar this season, too. His favorable contract and commendable performance on a subpar Arizona squad make him an intriguing option for contenders looking for stability in the crease.

23. Nick Bjugstad

The Coyotes may not stop there, as Bjugstad could be another Arizona trade chip. The veteran forward comes at a cost that's just above the league minimum, and he plays on both the power play and penalty kill for the Desert Dogs. Bjugstad would likely improve a contender's bottom six and could probably be had for a reasonable price.

24. Nick Seeler

Another Nick may get a call or two before the deadline, and for good reason. Seeler has emerged as a potential trade candidate because of the Flyers' struggles, his bargain-bin price tag, and the fact he's under team control for another season after this one. The Minnesota-born defenseman has impressive underlying figures considering his club's woes.

25. Gustav Nyquist

Nyquist is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a shoulder injury but may return for the playoffs. That means another team could acquire him, stash him on long-term injured reserve, and then activate him for the postseason - when there's no longer a salary cap - if he's able to play. The Swede isn't what he once was, and who knows how capable he'll be coming off the extended absence, but it would be a low-risk move.

(Contracts source: CapFriendly)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Olli Maatta to a two-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $3 million, the club announced Thursday.

Maatta was a pending unrestricted free agent, and he'll get a raise from the $2.25-million AAV on his current deal.

The 28-year-old has been a serviceable depth blue-liner.

Maatta is in his first season with the Red Wings, who signed him in July. The Finnish rearguard previously suited up for the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings inked defenseman Mikey Anderson to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4.125 million, the club announced Wednesday.

Anderson was a pending restricted free agent, and his current deal carries an AAV of $1 million.

The 23-year-old has been playing on L.A.'s top pairing alongside Drew Doughty. Anderson has become a reliable shutdown defender and has also collected two goals and 11 assists while averaging 21:49 of ice time in 55 games this season.

He's in his third full season with the Kings, who drafted him 103rd overall in 2017. His older brother, Joey, is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a healthy Auston Matthews for Wednesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Matthews is back after missing a handful of contests with a sprained knee, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed, according to TSN's Mark Masters. The superstar center sustained the injury on Jan. 25.

The Leafs went 2-3-0 in his absence, splitting a home-and-home back-to-back with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday and Saturday after losing 5-2 to the Boston Bruins, beating the Washington Capitals 5-1, and absorbing a 6-2 defeat to the Ottawa Senators.

Following Wednesday's clash with the basement-dwelling Blackhawks, the Leafs will host the Montreal Canadiens - who also occupy last place in their division - on Saturday before traveling to Chicago for another meeting with the Blackhawks on Sunday.

Matthews produced 25 goals and 28 assists in his 47 previous games this season. He won the Hart Trophy, the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, and the Ted Lindsay Award last season after racking up 60 tallies and 46 helpers in 73 contests.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's no point beating around the bush here. Connor McDavid is the obvious MVP front-runner as we move further into the unofficial second half of this NHL season. That's hardly a controversial statement, but let's be real: Everyone else garnering Hart Trophy consideration is clearly just vying to be a finalist at this point.

The four players below him on this list have all been extremely valuable to their clubs and would all have a legitimate shot to win if McDavid wasn't playing like a human video game.

Two other stars would be in the mix if the list was a little longer, too. Jason Robertson remains a fringe candidate, but he's been outplayed lately by a new contender, and Tage Thompson's evolution into a game-changer has been the biggest reason the Buffalo Sabres are within striking distance of a playoff spot.

Here are our top five Hart Trophy contenders at this point in the campaign:

5. Matthew Tkachuk

Tkachuk has provided the Florida Panthers with significant value in his first season with them. We've been reluctant to include him on these lists until now because the Cats have been so disappointing. But the versatile forward's elite play deserves recognition precisely because he's carried an underachieving club, and he's been on fire lately.

The All-Star MVP racked up seven goals and 17 assists in the 15 games since our last edition of these rankings. Tkachuk leads the NHL in both helpers and points in that span. The talented agitator's production relative to that of his teammates has been commendable, too. Tkachuk has 10 more assists and 24 more points than the closest Panthers, all while sitting among the league leaders in both categories.

The 25-year-old's underlying numbers have been sublime. He ranks third in the NHL in wins above replacement and is tied for third in goals above replacement. He also sits third in individual expected goals. Tkachuk is 10th in five-on-five expected goals for percentage among forwards with at least 500 minutes played in those situations, having logged more ice time than all but one forward ahead of him. As a result, the gritty American has an outside shot at being voted a Hart finalist.

4. Mikko Rantanen

The injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche are getting healthier, so they're no longer relying as heavily on Rantanen. Still, the Finnish forward continues to provide the defending champions with tremendous value.

Rantanen leads all NHL forwards - yes, even McDavid - in average ice time and ranks second in the league in even-strength goals. He's racked up eight tallies and five assists in the 13 games since our last edition. His xGF% is the least flattering of anyone in this top five, but he's helping Colorado control a greater share (55.23%) of the scoring chances when he's been on the ice at five-on-five.

The Avalanche star is outscoring his closest teammate by 19 goals while outproducing the second-best Avalanche skater by six points. Injuries have factored into that, but those disparities continue to illustrate how critical Rantanen has been in keeping his injury-ravaged team afloat.

3. Jack Hughes

Hughes is now considered week-to-week due to injury, but New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff expects his absence to be on the shorter end. In addition, Hughes deserves to be recognized for how critical he's been to his team's success so far. The club's catalyst leads the league in both WAR and GAR, sits atop the NHL in even-strength goals, and ranks second in even-strength points - all astounding trends for a player who's turning 22 in May.

His terrific underlying figures don't end with his WAR and GAR, either. Among forwards with at least 500 minutes logged at five-on-five, Hughes' xGF% ranks 12th, and his SCF% (59.7) slots in at 10th.

Hughes has collected 14 more goals and 15 more points than his closest teammates, and he registered 11 goals and 10 assists in the 11 games since our previous edition. The American sits third in shots on goal among all NHL skaters, and he ranks among the league's best in the Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Art Ross Trophy races. Hughes has been exceedingly valuable, and he'd be the clear Hart runner-up at this point if not for the injury that could keep him out for a handful of games or more.

2. David Pastrnak

Pastrnak has been in MVP contention all season long - not just because of how good he's been, but because of how much better he's played than his Boston Bruins teammates. That's a remarkable feat considering those teammates are Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and Charlie McAvoy, along with Linus Ullmark, the clear Vezina Trophy favorite.

Pastrnak racked up 11 goals and nine assists in the 13 games since we last evaluated this race, with a whopping 20 more goals and 26 more points than any other Bruins skater. He was stellar when Marchand and McAvoy missed time due to injuries at the start of the campaign, and he hasn't slowed down since.

The Czech playmaker sits second in the NHL in goals and fourth in points. At even strength, Pastrnak is joint fourth in goals and joint eighth in points. He also leads the league in shots on goal. Ullmark's sterling campaign and the Bruins' status as the NHL's best team have hurt Pastrnak's Hart bid to a degree, but his consistently potent play - especially relative to his team - makes him a serious contender.

1. Connor McDavid

Everyone knows there's more to hockey than goals, assists, and points. But when a player like McDavid has an 18-point lead while pacing the league in tallies and ranking joint second in helpers, it's important not to overthink when it comes to MVP voting.

It's not just his conventional stats that warrant recognition, either. Only two players have more WAR than McDavid this season, and only four have more GAR. His SCF% (56.13) is nearly identical to his xGF%, and he sits fifth in the NHL in individual expected goals.

Other contenders have excelled with less support than the Edmonton Oilers captain has had (having Leon Draisaitl helps), but no one's done more, and that can't be ignored. McDavid has simply been too dominant to place him anywhere but in the top spot.

(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bo Horvat expressed his gratitude to New York Islanders supporters after they chanted the trade acquisition's name during his home debut with the club Tuesday night.

"It was pretty amazing," Horvat said postgame. "I haven't had a chant like that in a building that loud in, I don't think ever."

The fans at UBS Arena gave Horvat a standing ovation after he scored his first goal for the Islanders in his second game with the squad.

"(It) definitely felt good to get (the goal) in my first game at home," Horvat said.

Spectators chanted his name again following New York's 4-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken.

Horvat later expanded on how much it meant to get a warm welcome in his new home.

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal set up Horvat's goal and said the newcomer's arrival has put some pep in his step.

"I feel like I have a little extra juice," Barzal said, according to AM New York's Joe Pantorno.

The Islanders landed Horvat in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 30. He represented his new club at the All-Star game in Florida before even suiting up for the Isles due to the timing of the swap. New York signed the 27-year-old to an eight-year contract extension Sunday, and he made his debut with the team in a road win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.

Horvat was a pending unrestricted free agent before inking his new pact. He ranks among the league's goal-scoring leaders with 32 tallies in 51 games this season. He also has 23 assists.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall doesn't plan to part with a first-round pick or an equivalent to move salary out before the March 3 deadline.

"I would say that's not on the table," the GM said Sunday. "I haven't been asked for that, certainly. Conversations are starting to pick up (between) a lot of (teams) ... people are kind of looking to see what's out there ... but there's not a lot of teams right now that are looking to jump and kind of get down to the fine strokes here."

Hextall then reiterated he's not looking to jettison salary and later added that he won't make a trade unless he believes it will bolster the current club.

"It's really dangerous to feel like you have to make a deal because, quite frankly, you look at the history, and all of the sudden, you make a bad deal.

"(If) we can bring a piece in and we think it'll fit better with our group here and maybe connect a line, that's what we'll look to do, but ... I've never felt pressure to make a deal for the sake of making a deal."

The Penguins have numerous players on expiring contracts, most notably forward Jason Zucker - a pending unrestricted free agent with a $5.5-million cap hit - and defenseman Brian Dumoulin - a pending UFA with an AAV of $4.1 million - along with goaltender Tristan Jarry.

When asked if there was any scenario that could cause Pittsburgh to become sellers at the deadline and look at shipping out players like Zucker and Dumoulin, Hextall dreaded the thought.

"I certainly hope not," he said. "If we play the way we're capable of playing, I see us certainly making the playoffs. With injuries and with our inconsistencies this (season), it's a fair question, but ... when you look at our top players, for the most part, they've performed well."

The Pens hit the All-Star break sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division by points but fourth by points percentage. They're three points behind the fourth-place Washington Capitals but have four games in hand. The club has suffered four straight opening-round eliminations in the postseason.

Pittsburgh has $18,430 in cap space but is projected to have $1.35 million of flexibility at the deadline, according to CapFriendly.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.