In the third edition of theScore's 2019-20 Vezina Trophy power rankings, we take a look at the leading candidates for this year's award as the midway mark of the season approaches.

5. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Hellebuyck has endured a shaky couple of weeks heading into the new year, but an excellent body of work in the opening half of the season keeps him in the running for the Vezina.

The 26-year-old puck-stopper has been invaluable to a Jets team that's struggled to stay healthy on the blue line. Hellebuyck leads the league in goals saved above average (12.7) and was just named to the Central Division All-Star team for the second time in his career.

4. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

Rask has been steady all season for the Atlantic-leading Bruins. The Finnish netminder has helped his club earn at least a point in all but four of his starts and has just two regulation losses since Nov. 8.

Rask's numbers have declined over three consecutive months, however, as both he and the Bruins have come back down to earth following an incredible start to the campaign. He's also the only goalie on this list who's failed to outperform his expected goals-against average per 60 minutes so far this season.

Despite his regression, Rask is still having his best season in several years and will remain a strong Vezina candidate if he continues his sound play between the pipes.

3. Ben Bishop, Dallas Stars

Like Hellebuyck, Bishop has hit a bit of a rough patch of late, but the Stars' most valuable player has been at his very best for the majority of the campaign.

Through 27 starts this season, Bishop has allowed more than three goals in a game on just three occasions, two of which have come in the last 11 days. Though the Stars boast the league's 26th-ranked offensive, Bishop's elite ability in goal combined with the club's stingy defense makes Dallas a contender for a deep postseason run.

2. Darcy Kuemper, Arizona Coyotes

Kuemper has been the backbone of one of the NHL's best stories this season. The Coyotes may be one of the top defensive squads in the league, but his excellence between the pipes elevates them from a team that's simply difficult to play against to a team that's extremely tough to beat.

Arizona sits second in the Pacific Division thanks in large part to Kuemper's dominant play. The Saskatchewan native has posted a 5-1-2 record with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage against divisional opponents. Despite missing time with injury, Kuemper remains a top candidate to take home this year's Vezina honors.

1. Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

Binnington appears to be on cruise control during his sophomore campaign. He's won six straight starts and has lost consecutive games in regulation just once.

The Blues' coolheaded netminder owns the analytical advantage as well. Binnington boasts the league's best high-danger save percentage, and his performance relative to his expected goals-against average per 60 minutes is better than that of any other goaltender with at least 18 starts.

Advanced stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick

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NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell was not amused by John Tortorella's postgame tirade.

Campbell called Tortorella's comments "unprofessional" and "unacceptable" after the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach heavily criticized on-ice officials and the league's replay crew in Toronto for an apparent clock error that cost Columbus an overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

"The whistle is blown at 19.2 (seconds) on the clock," Tortorella said. "For some reason, the clock is run down a second-and-a-tenth to 18.1. For whatever reason, I have no goddamn idea. So instead of resetting the clock, we have them tell our captain 'we're not going to do it.'"

Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski scored what would have been the game-winning goal just after time expired in the extra frame, and starting goalie Joonas Korpisalo suffered a non-contact injury in the subsequent shootout as Columbus lost 3-2.

"Toronto doesn't step in, refs don't do their freaking job, and now we lose the game and we lose our goalie," Tortorella continued.

Campbell explained why time was not re-added to the clock after officials assessed the Blackhawks a too-many-men penalty in overtime, saying referees took advantage of the Blue Jackets' ensuing time-out call to thoroughly review the play:

Tortorella apologized for his remarks Monday, admitting he showed a lack of discipline by airing his frustrations publicly rather than addressing the situation in private, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

The NHL will be calling Tortorella to address his comments, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Sunday.

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Team Canada will not have star winger Alexis Lafreniere for its World Junior Championship contest against Germany on Monday.

Lafreniere suffered a left knee injury in the second period of Canada's 6-0 loss to Russia on Saturday and had to be assisted off the ice. Despite being ruled out for Monday's game, he could still return during the tournament, assistant coach Andre Tourigny said, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

Tourigny also confirmed that the MRI on Lafreniere's knee did not reveal any fractures or torn ligaments. The projected No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NHL Draft wore a brace on his knee while watching practice on Sunday.

Lafreniere posted one goal and three assists in Canada's tournament-opening victory against the United States.

All five nations in Group B are deadlocked through two contests for the first time since the group format was introduced at the world juniors in 1996. Canada, however, sits last due to goal differential ahead of its crucial matchup with Germany.

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It's not every day we witness a star player change jerseys in the NHL. Blockbuster trades in the salary cap era have been few and far between, so it's rather memorable when a major deal comes to fruition.

Here, we look back on the five biggest swaps of the decade.

5. Bruins trade Seguin to Stars

Date: July 4, 2013

The trade:

Through 203 games with the Boston Bruins, a 21-year-old Tyler Seguin had already racked up 56 goals and 121 points, and was quickly becoming one of the league's most electrifying talents. What could Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli and his staff have possibly been thinking when they dealt him away?

Wish you could be a fly on the wall for such a discussion? Voila!

"He's a star player, there's no doubt, but does he fit with our culture?" Bruins director of player personnel Scott Bradley questioned.

The Bruins believed Seguin relied too heavily on his skill and lacked a physical edge that the club looked for in its players. They also weren't thrilled with his off-ice habits; one week earlier, Chiarelli publicly said Seguin needed to "become more of a professional."

"I just think there are too many red flags with him," said Bradley. "You know, he has a lot of talent, we know that. He should be scoring ... like he brings up (Patrick) Kane, if he gives us half of Kane we win the Stanley Cup."

After much deliberation, Chiarelli decided to pick up the phone and shop his young star. The result was a seven-player blockbuster that saw Seguin land in Dallas while veteran winger Loui Eriksson highlighted the Bruins' return.

Since being traded to the Stars, Seguin ranks fourth in the NHL in goals (217) and sixth in points (495) - more than any Bruin during that span.

4. Canucks deal Luongo back to Panthers

Date: March 4, 2014

The trade:

The tale of the Vancouver Canucks trading away two of the decade's top goalies in the span of nine months is one for the ages, and it ends with Roberto Luongo back on a beach in Sunrise.

Luongo inked a 12-year, $64-million contract with the Canucks in September 2009 that would kick in ahead of the 2010-2011 season. But with a young Cory Schneider outperforming his backup role, the club found itself with a pair of top-tier goaltenders and some important decisions to make.

With several postseason disappointments to begin the decade, including the Canucks' infamous Game 7 loss to the Bruins in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Luongo turned into the scapegoat for fans and the media. The 6-foot-3 puck-stopper reportedly requested a trade after losing the starting role to Schneider midway through the opening round of the 2012 playoffs.

When the Canucks couldn't find a suitor for Luongo's mammoth contract, general manager Mike Gillis instead shipped Schneider to the New Jersey Devils at the 2013 NHL Draft. Problem solved, right? Not so fast.

The following season was a disaster for the Canucks, as the club missed the playoffs for the first time in six years. Head coach John Tortorella opting to play backup Eddie Lack at the 2014 Heritage Classic proved to be the final straw. The damaged relationship between Luongo and the Canucks became irreparable, and the veteran was traded back to Florida two months later.

3. Senators trade Karlsson to Sharks

Date: Sept. 13, 2018

The trade:

Just 16 months after leading the underdog Senators to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, Erik Karlsson, the club's homegrown franchise talent, was gone. The deal officially marked the beginning of a rebuild, and general manager Pierre Dorion delivered a promising message of hope to fans five days later.

Karlsson was one of the greatest Senators of all time, but with his contract expiring and a hefty payday on the horizon, the veteran blue-liner no longer fit the club's plans.

The San Jose Sharks were a perfect suitor - they were a Stanley Cup favorite that also had expendable assets in their system and money to dish out for an extension. In June, the two-time Norris Trophy winner inked an eight-year, $92-million deal to stay in the Bay Area after the team lost in six games to the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final.

Karlsson holds the Senators' franchise record for goals, assists, and points by a defenseman. Only Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza have recorded more points and assists for Ottawa.

2. Canadiens, Predators swap star blue-liners

Date: June 29, 2016

The trade:

In 2016, 23 minutes shifted the NHL landscape completely. Just 17 minutes after the most memorable trade of the decade (we'll get there), the Canadiens and Predators joined in on the fun, as P.K. Subban was dealt to Nashville in exchange for Shea Weber, who headed back to Montreal.

Each player was more than just a star for their respective clubs - Subban and Weber were the faces of each franchise. But Subban didn't have the same connection with the front office as he did with the fan base. His flashy, charismatic style didn't jive with head coach Michelle Therrien's old school approach; two days before a no-trade clause was to kick in on his long-term deal, the stalwart defenseman was dealt.

"Right now I'm going to a team that wants me," Subban said after the trade, according to CBC.com. "I'm just happy to be in a situation where I can excel and feel good about myself coming to the rink every day."

While Subban's career continued to blossom in Nashville, an aging Weber struggled to stay healthy, and many touted Predators general manager David Poile as a genius for turning back the clock on his defensive anchor.

Fast-forward to the end of the decade, and Subban is a member of the New Jersey Devils while Weber looks to have reinvented himself with the Canadiens.

1. Oilers trade Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson

Date: June 29, 2016

The trade:

Chiarelli makes another unfortunate appearance on our list - this time at No. 1 as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers.

The decade's most remarkable trade also paved the way for arguably the most memorable hockey tweet of all time. While fans and pundits alike awaited for the Oilers' return, TSN's Bob McKenzie provided the jaw-dropping answer:

As Hall went on to capture the 2018 Hart Trophy in his second season with the Devils, Oilers fans were left wondering what could have been. Larsson was a solid defenseman, but having an MVP, the face of the league in Connor McDavid, and German sensation Leon Draisaitl in the same lineup today is an all-time "what if?" for the organization.

In retrospect, it's hard to say that anybody actually won this trade. Hall got his cup of coffee in the postseason with the Devils and the Oilers ended a decade-long playoff drought of their own, but both sides failed to build off any progress. The Oilers faded from playoff contention in the following years, and Hall was traded to the Arizona Coyotes earlier this month.

Despite what followed, it remains one of the more lopsided trades in NHL history.

Just missed the cut:

• Maple Leafs trade Phil Kessel to Penguins
• New Jersey ships Ilya Kovalchuk to Devils
• Flyers trade both Mike Richards and Jeff Carter
• Blue Jackets deal Ryan Johansen to Predators for Seth Jones

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The injuries continue to pile up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Defenseman Jake Muzzin has been listed as week-to-week with a broken foot, the team announced Saturday.

Muzzin has been an essential piece on the blue line for the Maple Leafs this season. The veteran rearguard logs the second-most minutes per game on the team, averaging 21:21 of ice time while leading the club in both hits (87) and blocks (69).

The Leafs also lost forward Ilya Mikheyev on Friday, who will be out for several months after suffering a wrist laceration against the New Jersey Devils. Forwards Trevor Moore and Andreas Johnson also remain sidelined for the blue and white.

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It simply wasn't Canada's night Saturday at Ostravar Arena.

The Canadians suffered a 6-0 blowout loss to Russia in a contest that saw star forward Alexis Lafreniere depart with a knee injury. It was the first time in tournament history the Red and White lost by more than five goals.

Lafreniere injured his left knee in the second period after colliding awkwardly with Russian netminder Amir Miftakhov, who made 28 saves for the shutout victory.

Russia came out firing in the opening frame, taking a 3-0 lead into the first intermission on goals from forwards Alexander Khovanov, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Nikita Rtishchev.

Moments after Lafreniere exited the game, Nikita Alexandrov extended Russia's lead to 4-0, ending Canadian netminder Nico Daws' night. Joel Hofer replaced Daws after the latter allowed four goals on 17 shots.

With Saturday's result, all five teams in Group B are deadlocked through two contests - a first since the group format was introduced in 1996. Canada sits last due to goal differential.

Canada will look to rebound Monday against Germany before closing out the preliminary round against the host Czech Republic on New Year's Eve.

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Team Canada star Alexis Lafreniere exited Saturday's contest against Russia after suffering an apparent leg injury.

Lafreniere, who is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, twisted his left leg awkwardly after colliding with Russian netminder Amir Miftakhov in the second period.

The 18-year-old winger couldn't put weight on his leg and had to be assisted off the ice.

Russia jumped ahead to a 3-0 lead before Canada's blue-chip forward went down with the injury.

Lafreniere was sensational in Canada's tournament-opening win against the United States. The Quebec native tallied three assists and potted the game-winning goal in the final minutes.

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Sergei Zubov is once again a member of the Dallas Stars.

The former NHL defenseman has been hired as senior consultant to hockey operations, the Stars announced Friday.

Zubov will report directly to general manager Jim Nill and consult the club's hockey operations department with all matters concerning the team.

"We are thrilled to bring Sergei back into the Stars family," said Nill.

"He has been a big part of building hockey here in Dallas as a player, and we are excited for him to continue adding to that legacy in this management role. He has a brilliant hockey mind and his presence in the organization will benefit us all."

Zubov played 12 seasons with the Stars from 1996-2009, capturing one of his two Stanley Cup championships with Dallas in 1999. The Russian rearguard holds franchise records in points (549) and goals (111) among defensemen.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019, Zubov amassed 152 goals and 771 points through 1068 NHL games with the Stars, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Cale Makar is good to go.

The Colorado Avalanche announced the rookie defenseman will return to the lineup against the Minnesota Wild on Friday after missing the club's previous eight games with an upper-body injury.

Makar suffered the ailment against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 7 after taking a heavy hit from forward Brad Marchand behind his net.

The 21-year-old blue-liner recorded eight goals and 28 points through 29 games before sustaining the injury and remains a leading candidate for the Calder Trophy.

Colorado weathered the storm in his absence, posting a 4-3-1 record. The Avalanche occupy the second spot in the Central Divison and enter Friday's action five points back of the first-place St. Louis Blues.

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Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi will return to the lineup Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team announced.

Kotkaniemi has missed the club's last eight games after suffering a concussion Dec. 5 against the Colorado Avalanche. The sophomore forward landed awkwardly on his head after Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov hammered him against the boards.

Kotkaniemi has struggled with both health and production in his second NHL season. The 19-year-old pivot missed the first two weeks of November with a groin injury and has mustered just three goals and five points through 22 contests this season after recording 34 points in 79 games as a rookie.

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