Cracknell, a sandpapered depth winger, has netted 10 points in 44 games, while the veteran Pardy has been limited to 14 starts this season.
Both players should receive stopgap minutes with the dismantling Oilers, who have shipped out Teddy Purcell and Justin Schultz, and reportedly lost Benoit Pouliot to a separated shoulder.
Eric Staal didn't want to look back on his career and wonder.
Staal met with the New York media on Monday less than 24 hours after being dealt from the Carolina Hurricanes, and explained that the prospects of winning another Stanley Cup - and this time with his brother, Marc - was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
"Deep, deep in my gut, this was a chance, an opportunity I needed to take," he said, according to Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record. "This is where I wanted to go, where I wanted to be. Being with Marc (Staal) is an (added) benefit."
The deal casts the unrestricted free agent's future further in doubt. But while he believes he has a lot of hockey left, Staal's unwilling to look beyond the next few months.
"I believe this a group that can compete against anybody when the playoffs start," he said.
Another uncertainty, and for now one that's more pressing, is where Staal fits in the Rangers' lineup. He told reporters he's more comfortable at center, but with Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard filling out the two top-six roles down the middle, he might have to shift to the wing.
While the pickup was not immediately understood by many, including esteemed TSN hockey insider Bob McKenzie, it appears the Canadiens made the move with the intention of providing protection for the club's younger players.
Habs picked up Mike Brown because they wanted a little more protection/toughness for their younger players in the lineup rest of year
Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg is the NHL's first star for the week ending Feb. 28 - and that should come as no surprise.
Forsberg is on fire. He scored two natural hat tricks last week in four games, adding an assist, leading Nashville to four straight wins. After not being able to find the back of the net in the first half of the season, Forsberg's scored 12 goals on 46 shots. He has 26 goals and 20 assists in 63 games.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan was named second star of the week. He had six points in three games, as Tampa Bay enjoyed an undefeated week, as well.
Callahan's had a mostly disappointing season, with 10 goals and 18 assists, but he's been money in February, with five goals and nine assists in 13 games, as the Lightning march toward the playoffs.
The third star of the week is Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon, who went 2-0-1 in three games, with a .949 save percentage.
Condon was integral in Montreal's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals, and was exceptional Saturday, as the Canadiens continued their dominance of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Filling in for Carey Price, Condon's struggled most of the season, but he has a respectable .913 save percentage in seven February starts.
It's believed that Pouliot suffered a separated shoulder during the third period of Sunday's game against the New York Islanders, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Adding fuel to the report is Pouliot arriving to the rink Monday with his right arm in a sling.
Pouliot has recorded 14 goals and 22 assists in 55 games for the Oilers this season.
Following practice, head coach Alain Vigneault met with the media and said he expects the longtime Carolina Hurricanes captain to play center in New York.
"I do envision Eric playing in the middle," he said. "With Eric, you're talking about an elite player, been captain of his team, and will bring his leadership to the room.
"There's no doubt our players are excited about Eric."
The Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night, so Staal will make his debut. But with Jesper Fast ill and out of the lineup, Staal will likely start on the wing.
There are questions, if Staal eventually moves to center, because the Rangers already employ Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard.
If Staal plays C, who moves to the wing? I still think he eventually is a wing. Hayes hasn't fit at RW. Brassard and Stepan aren't wings.
Rinaldo didn't leave his feet, or take a violent run, but certainly made contact with the chin of Paquette first as he attempted to separate the player from the puck in the defensive zone.
Rinaldo has been suspended on multiple occasions by the NHL, which will factor into the bureau's decision. He will, however, apparently avoid a ban in excess of five games, as Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe reports that it will be a phone hearing.
It's been a difficult season for the Montreal Canadiens, but they received some very good news Monday morning.
Carey Price, who has been limited to only 12 games this season, was back on the ice in full gear as he continues to make strides in his recovery from a long-term lower-body injury.
The 28-year-old goalie was enjoying yet another Vezina Trophy-caliber campaign, posting a record of 10-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .934 save percentage before going down with the injury.
Khokhlachev's agent has indicated that his client could be traded prior to Monday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express.
Selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, Khokhlachev has yet to be given an extended look with the Bruins, recording zero points in nine games. He's excelled at the AHL level this season, however, with 15 goals and 32 assists through 42 games.
The Bruins are believed to be in the market for a defenseman and have a decision to make regarding Loui Eriksson. Khokhlachev would be an enticing piece to deal in order to fill a need on the blue line.
Brodin will be 23 in July and has a goal and five assists in 50 games, averaging 20:23 in ice time. He's signed long term, through 2019-20 at a cap hit of $4.167 million. Brodin is an integral part of the Wild's defense and, as Russo points out, the team averaged 2.92 goals against over 12 games he missed due to a broken foot.
