Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins isn't quite sure what the future will hold once Columbus names its new general manager, but he's certain things will be different.
A lot different.
"I'm expecting there's going to be big changes," he said, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "Huge changes, because we can't keep going like this. There has to be change. We're in the National Hockey League. This is a professional league - the best players in the world.
"The organization is, I believe, going to do what's best, and we'll see during the summertime."
The Blue Jackets are on track to finish at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division for the second straight campaign despite adding Johnny Gaudreau, Ivan Provorov, and Damon Severson over the last two offseasons. Columbus last made the playoffs in 2020.
The organization fired GM Jarmo Kekalainen after 12 seasons at the helm in February. President of hockey operations and alternate governor John Davidson has taken over the duties on an interim basis.
Merzlikins himself could potentially be on the outs in a few months time with the looming front office change. He has three years remaining on his deal with a $5.4-million cap hit, which also comes with a 10-team no-trade list.
"I'm definitely not feeling threatened or scared," he said. "It's not just about my future, it's about everyone's future."
The 29-year-old has rebounded from last season as he's improved his save percentage and goals against average from .876 and 4.23 to .901 and 3.29, respectively. He's also saved 5.92 goals saved above expected at all strengths, per Evolving-Hockey, after ranking dead last among all goalies in GSAx (minus-26.74) in 2022-23.
Merzlikins made waves in January when he said he was in pursuit of "a new scenario." However, the veteran goaltender - who's started 12 of the Jackets' last 23 contests after taking a backseat to Daniil Tarasov - told Portzline that he successfully got his "different scenario."
The Blue Jackets will square off against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday with Merzlikins between the pipes.
Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon gave a glowing review of his team's 3-0 comeback to beat the Vancouver Canucks in overtime Wednesday.
"Best win of the year for sure," he said. "Really happy with our game. Tough start ... but we didn't quit. I thought we really dominated in the third period, which is always what you want to do. ... Really excited about that win tonight."
Mikko Rantanen got Colorado on the board with three seconds remaining in the second period, setting up a dominant final frame in which the Avalanche outshot the Canucks 17-3. MacKinnon and Ross Colton scored to tie the game 3-3 before MacKinnon's shot deflected off Valeri Nichushkin's visor and in to end the contest in the extra frame.
"MacKinnon said, 'I'm taking this game,'" Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet said. "We need(ed) a couple of guys to counteract that, and I thought we didn't."
He added: "We just couldn't get anybody to grab hold of a puck - whether it's on a forecheck or a breakout - just to kind of slow things down. We were a little hot potato, and we were kind of soft on the puck, mostly in the third. I hate to say it, but (it's) a learning lesson. We need some guys to dig in on certain situations."
The Canucks were outshot 34-21 on Wednesday, and the Avalanche dictated 69.6% of the expected goals at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The victory marked Colorado's 21st comeback win this season, which came as no surprise to MacKinnon.
"We've always been a really good group (when we're) down a couple," he explained. "Even when we won the Cup (in 2022), it was almost better when we were losing for some reason. We just push harder, be more aggressive."
"We did all the right things, which leads to the victory," he said. "It's a good message for our guys, it's good for all of our new guys to come in and feel that in this group because they were all a big part of it.
"That's the sort of confidence that you want to instill in your group. Hopefully, they keep remembering that."
The Avalanche will square off against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Edmonton Oilers forward Connor Brown has scored some memorable goals over the course of his nine-year NHL career, but he said Wednesday's tally, his first of the 2023-24 campaign, "would take the cake."
A standing ovation (and a thrown hat or two) from those in attendance at Rogers Place likely has something to do with it.
"It meant a lot," a smiling Brown told reporters postgame when asked about the crowd's reaction. "I mean, you play in a big market like this and they're aware of the storylines, and it means a lot. It's been a struggle this year offensively.
"I haven't been able to get one to go, and so for their kind of support to shine through there, obviously they're rooting for me. It was a good feeling."
Brown's goal was the highlight of the Oilers' 7-2 rout of the Washington Capitals. Evander Kane found his snake-bitten teammate in front of the net on a two-on-one, and Brown was able to direct it home.
EDM WSH G64. March 13, 2024. Connor Brown goal, standing ovation. 7-2. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/c9fj3deXWU
"(Brown's) worked hard, he's played really well," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. "He's probably the most unfortunate player - unlucky - in the NHL. The amount of goal posts he's hit and chances, just haven't been able to go in."
"Very happy for him, but I thought he played a really good game even if he hadn't had the goal," the bench boss added.
Brown entered Wednesday's action with just five assists in 54 games, though he'd generated around nine individual expected goals at all strengths, per Natural Stat Trick. The 30-year-old was limited to just four games last season because of a torn ACL and hadn't found the back of the net since March 24, 2022.
For all of his recent struggles, Leon Draisaitl said Brown "never complained."
"There's none of that," the superstar said. "Great teammate, great guy. I wouldn't be surprised if this opened the floodgates for him."
Brown, meanwhile, is relieved to finally get the monkey off of his back.
"I never was just OK with not scoring," he said. "I wasn't (satisfied) with just kind of letting these big boys take the load and not trying to contribute. I'm trying to score every night. It'll be that way moving forward and into the playoffs."
Next up for the Oilers is a clash against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Things got heated between Lucas Raymond and Ben Chiarot during the Detroit Red Wings' practice on Wednesday.
The pair got into a scuffle and had to be separated. The young forward approached Chiarot a few moments later, and the two appeared to exchange words before preparing for the next drill.
Frustration at Red Wings practice. Ben Chiarot and Lucas Raymond got into at practice and had to be broken up. pic.twitter.com/Bqjvcu08Vm
Their teammates didn't appear to be bothered by the spat, though.
"I don't think it's a bad thing," winger Patrick Kane said, per Detroit Hockey Now's Bob Duff. "I'd be more worried if we were walking around here all smiles, happy, and everything's OK. I think it's good to get a little frustrated as long as you harness it in the right way.
"Frustration can create a lot of positive energy as well, whether it's practicing like you play, or just playing harder tomorrow."
The Red Wings lost their sixth straight contest in regulation on Tuesday in a 7-3 thrashing at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres. As a result of the skid, Detroit has weakened its hold on a playoff spot. The Red Wings are currently tied with the New York Islanders at 72 points, but the Isles currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference since they have a game in hand.
Veteran forward David Perron's outlook on the commotion was similar to Kane's.
"We saw the intensity this morning in practice," he said. "I think that's great to see. Guys want to have solutions, they want to be part of it. I'm excited for tomorrow. It's an exciting challenge to come to the rink and find a way to turn it around."
This isn't the first time Chiarot, a veteran defenseman, has been involved in a dustup with a teammate at practice. In 2018, as a member of the Winnipeg Jets, he got into a fight with Blake Wheeler.
Detroit has been outscored 32-11 during its current slump. Raymond and Chiarot are both a minus-10 over that stretch and have a combined three points. They've been teammates since Chiarot signed a four-year, $19-million deal with the Red Wings as a free agent in 2022.
The Red Wings will get a chance to turn things around on Thursday versus the Arizona Coyotes.
Joe Pavelski is opting to take a glass-half-full approach after the Dallas Stars coughed up a three-goal lead in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
"For us ... this is a great reminder of what's ahead of us," Pavelski told reporters postgame. "We're going to be in this situation again against good teams in the playoffs (where) you're up by two, you're down by one, the game can't change. You've got to go out and win periods, create momentum, keep moving the game forward.
"We didn't do a good enough job, so we'll look at a few clips ... and take this as a lesson. This won't be a low point for us at all. We'll be looking to right it and be better next time."
The Stars led 3-0 before the midway point of the middle frame and were dominant for the game's first 40 minutes, controlling around 70% of the expected goals at all strengths while holding a 16-2 edge in high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Sam Reinhart got Florida on the board with a power-play tally before the second intermission, which wound up being the first of four unanswered goals for the Panthers. The Cardiac Cats scored three times in the game's final 10 minutes to secure the comeback victory, with Aleksander Barkov striking twice on the man advantage.
"I think there's a little bit of a natural reaction to sit on a lead a little bit, but you also know they're going to push," Stars coach Peter DeBoer said. (The Panthers) weren't great through the first 40 minutes. That's a proud team that knows how to win, and you knew they were going to push for the last 20 minutes.
"Even having said that, I didn't think we gave them a lot until we gave them the power plays."
Florida went three-for-four on the man advantage against the league's eighth-best penalty-killing unit. The Stars entered Tuesday's action with an 81.7% success rate.
Pavelski is confident Dallas' penalty killers will rebound from a tough outing.
"We've got a lot of trust in our PK," he said. "They've shown it all year. They'll bounce back. I got no worries there. They're a hard-working group, they're committed to it."
Next up for the Stars is a date with the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
The Calder Trophy race is just about at the finish line.
Unsurprisingly, it's pretty much down to just two players, as has been the case for the last few months. Still, the rookie class has been impressive all season long.
Let's take a look at which youngsters are in prime position to be named finalists for the hardware in April.
5. Luke Hughes, Devils
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
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While Hughes' case to be one of the three finalists has taken on water lately, his name will almost certainly be somewhere on the ballot, mostly thanks to his offensive ability and dynamic transitional play.
He ranks first among all rookie defensemen in goals and power-play points (17), as well as second in both points and ice time. Hughes also tops the class with 33 takeaways. Understandably, his blue-line game could use a lot of work - he is a rookie, after all. The rearguard was arguably forced into a substantial defensive role too quickly thanks to Dougie Hamilton's long-term injury.
Hughes isn't entirely drowning under his team-leading minutes, though. The Devils have controlled 55.6% of the shot attempts, 54.2% of the scoring chances, and 53.5% of the expected goals with him on the ice at five-on-five. While they've been outscored 47-36, it's important to note that goaltending has been New Jersey's biggest weakness this campaign.
The 20-year-old found himself in an offensive funk in February, totaling just three assists in 12 games, but he's already got three helpers in six contests this month. All three have come on the man advantage, which is a welcome sign for the Devils. Their power play was abysmal last month, but they've converted on 21.1% of their chances so far this month.
4. Marco Rossi, Wild
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Though Rossi's exploits in his first full NHL season have been largely overshadowed by his own teammate (more on him later), the center's accomplishments absolutely deserve to be spotlighted.
Rossi is tied for second in goals among all rookies this season while ranking third in the points race. He's been strong at five-on-five, with 28 of his points and 15 of his goals coming at even strength. The Wild have also dictated play at five-on-five with the 22-year-old on the ice, controlling 52.2% of the shot attempts, 52.8% of the expected goals, and 54.9% of the high-danger chances while outscoring opponents 35-29.
It's been relatively tough sledding for Rossi as of late, though. He's been held without a point in his past nine contests and is a minus-four over that stretch. It hasn't been through lack of trying, though, as Rossi has recorded 26 shots on net during his slump, good for the third most on the Wild. He's also generated around four individual expected goals - they're just not going in for Rossi right now.
Rossi will have to bust his slump sooner rather than later if he wants to give himself the best chance at being named one of the three finalists for the Calder Trophy in a few weeks.
3. Pyotr Kochetkov, Hurricanes
Rich Graessle / National Hockey League / Getty
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Goaltending has been a bit of an adventure in Carolina this season, but it's starting to stabilize now, and Kochetkov is a major reason why.
The 24-year-old was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for February, and the honor was extremely well-deserved. Out of all goalies to appear in at least five games last month (not just rookies), Kochetkov ranked fourth with a .940 save percentage and third with a 1.71 goals against average while leading with two shutouts, including a 45-save effort against the league-leading Florida Panthers on Feb. 22.
Kochetkov also owns the best goals against average among all rookie netminders to appear in at least 10 games this season, and he places fourth in the class in goals saved above average (3.69) at all strengths. That's no small feat given that he's faced the third most shots (810) and fifth most high-danger chances (205) among all first-year goalies. What's more, Kochetkov has surrendered two or fewer goals in 21 of his outings this campaign, which translates to approximately 64% of his appearances. Those are far from rookie numbers if you ask us.
The Russian has been the Hurricanes' most-utilized goaltender this campaign and will be vital to his team down the stretch. Carolina will need him and a healthy Frederik Andersen in tip-top shape for the postseason.
2. Brock Faber, Wild
Nick Wosika / Getty Images Sport / Getty
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Man, if only some guy named Connor Bedard weren't around, Faber would be the slam-dunk favorite for the Calder Trophy.
The rearguard has been a joy to watch in Minnesota. He's first among all rookies in assists, second in points, and third with 26 even-strength points. Faber scored the Wild's only goal in Friday's overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche, and the tally was significant. He passed Marian Gaborik for the third most points by a rookie in franchise history, and he's only three points away from passing current teammate Matt Boldy (who, to be fair, only played in 47 contests during his first NHL season in 2021-22). Faber is still the league's busiest rookie by a four-minute margin, and he's blocked 129 shots - 30 clear of Anaheim Ducks youngster Jackson LaCombe in second place.
It's highly unlikely the Wild would be in the position they're in to challenge for a playoff spot without the efforts of Faber. He ranks fifth on the team in goals above replacement (10.5), wins above replacement (1.7), and defensive goals above replacement (2.9). The 21-year-old had to step up in a major way when Jonas Brodin was out injured, and he's been key in helping Minnesota overcome the absence of captain Jared Spurgeon.
Though Faber may not win the Calder Trophy, Wild fans should be more than happy to know that they'll have an absolute stud patrolling their blue line for years to come.
1. Connor Bedard, Blackhawks
Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty
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In the last edition of these rankings, we said Bedard had to hit the ground running to re-stake his claim as the Calder Trophy front-runner after recovering from a fractured jaw. Well, what else can we say? He's done exactly that, fishbowl and all.
Bedard racked up 13 points in the 12 games since his return, including four multi-point outings. The phenom even came back slightly ahead of schedule, which is pretty unfair for the first-year players hoping to pass him in the rookie scoring race: Faber was only able to tie Bedard with 33 points before the Blackhawks phenom could suit up again.
The fact that Bedard missed 14 games and is still the favorite to win the hardware is a testament to how good he's been all season. The 2023 first overall pick is rocking a 0.90 point-per-game rate, which is the highest clip by a rookie to play in at least 20 games since Kirill Kaprizov (0.93) took the league by storm in 2020-21. Bedard is also on pace for around 60 points on the season, and if he hits the milestone, it'd be the most by a rookie since Trevor Zegras (61 in 75 contests) and Michael Bunting (63 in 79 contests) in 2021-22. Bedard will have played in fewer games, too.
The 18-year-old has done all this despite his most frequent linemates being, like, Nick Foligno and Philipp Kurashev. The kid's real good, man.
Noah Hanifin refuted the narrative that he limited the Calgary Flames' trade options to places he'd consider signing long term as a pending free agent.
"I was never holding the Flames hostage," the defenseman said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Francis. "That was one of the more difficult things to hear towards the end because I personally felt I was never doing that. Talking to (Flames general manager Craig Conroy), I don't think either side felt that."
"I only had an eight-team no-trade clause, so I was never going to be able to say no," he added. "I felt I should give Calgary a list of teams I would sign with, and then it got out there I was holding the team hostage and would only sign with one team. I wasn't ever going to sign an extension just anywhere in the league. I don't think any player in the NHL would do that."
Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli suggested in late February that Hanifin's camp was using his leverage as an upcoming UFA to influence where he'd land. The Flames ended up trading Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights last Wednesday in exchange for a first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2025, as well as prospect Daniil Miromanov.
Hanifin conceded that he would've preferred a return to the East Coast, but the Boston native knew that'd further shrink the options that would work for both him and the Flames.
"It was positioned almost like I was doing it to spite Calgary, to hurt them," he said. "That was never the case. I was being honest with them.
"Calgary was going to do what was best for them, and I wanted to do what worked best for me and my family, and if that wasn't a fit, that's business."
Hanifin revealed that the Flames tried to sign him again one week before the trade and called his choice to leave Calgary "a family decision."
The 27-year-old has played two games with the Golden Knights, logging two assists while averaging 21 minutes of ice time. Hanifin will return to Calgary when Vegas takes on the Flames on Thursday.
He's not expecting an entirely warm reception from those in attendance.
"I'm sure there are certain people who were upset reading that I was screwing over the team," Hanifin said. "I never felt I was, or that it was real, but some of them may boo, like they have for other players who left town. But there are lots of others who I had relationships with who will support me."
Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon has dismissed criticism that he's exploited the NHL's long-term injured reserve system to bolster his team heading into the playoffs.
"Google 'lacerated spleen' and see if you can tell when a player is going to be back," he told "The Jeff Marek Show," referring to the ailment that's sidelined captain Mark Stone since late February. "It's ridiculous to suggest that these weren't significant injuries or aren't significant injuries.
"Furthermore, the National Hockey League polices all of this. The rules are the rules, the NHL watches this very carefully."
Stone has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. With the veteran forward and his $9.5-million cap hit on LTIR, Vegas was able to make the biggest splash at this year's deadline by picking up Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin, and Tomas Hertl.
However, Stone's postseason status is uncertain. The Golden Knights could activate him without issue since the salary cap doesn't apply in the playoffs.
The situation is similar to what happened last campaign. Vegas made some big deadline acquisitions after Stone's regular season ended in January due to a back injury, although he went on to appear in all of the Golden Knights' postseason games.
"Last year ... we acquired Ivan Barbashev, Jonathan Quick, and Teddy Blueger (at the deadline)," McCrimmon said. "I would suggest to you we probably could have acquired all three players without Mark Stone's LTIR. This year, it happened that there were opportunities available to use that space, so that's what we did.
"The flip side is to have $9.5 million of LTIR space as a general manager and sit on your hands, and I don't think that's doing our job the way that we should."
McCrimmon maintains that his organization hasn't done anything outside of what's allowed in the collective bargaining agreement.
"LTIR is collectively bargained between the Players' Association and the NHL," he said. "The idea behind it is, if you have a player suffer a significant injury, you can replace that player. Obviously from there, it's the timing of injuries."
The reigning Stanley Cup champions currently occupy the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a 34-23-7 record. They've lost nine out of their last 12 games.
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss at least two weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Paul Maurice announced Monday, according to team beat reporter Jameson Olive.
The bench boss added that Ekblad will be considered day-to-day after that, with the team targeting a return date in late March or early April.
"We're going to wait until he's 100%," Maurice said.
Ekblad got hurt in the first period of the Panthers' 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday. He collided with new teammate Vladimir Tarasenko at center ice and was later ruled out of the remainder of the contest.
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 9, 2024
The blue-liner has chipped in with four goals and 17 points in 47 outings this season while averaging just over 21 minutes of ice time per contest.
Ekblad missed the Panthers' first 16 games of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in June. He racked up two tallies and six helpers in 20 playoff games during Florida's unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Final this past spring.
On top of a dislocated shoulder, Ekblad revealed he also had a broken foot and a torn oblique in the postseason.
The Panthers are currently first place in the league with a 44-17-4 record and .708 points percentage. They'll take on the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
The Philadelphia Flyers bench boss was ejected by referee Wes McCauley in the first period of Saturday's clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning because of a particularly juicy tirade.
Tortorella wasn't exactly rushing to leave the bench when he got the boot.
The incident occurred with Philadelphia down 4-0 just 10 minutes into the contest. The Flyers ended up losing 7-0.
Moments before Tortorella's outburst, Philadelphia forward Garnet Hathaway was handed a 10-minute misconduct for shoving Lightning center Anthony Cirelli after the whistle.
McCauley also ejected Lightning bench boss Jon Cooper in March 2022 for voicing his displeasure about penalty calls.
Tortorella showed his claws earlier this season as well. He lashed out at a reporter in January after rumors suggested former Philadelphia forward Kevin Hayes influenced Cutter Gauthier's decision to leave the Flyers organization.
