Suspended Anaheim Ducks center Shawn Horcoff was back at practice for the first time Tuesday since it was announced in January that he had violated the NHL and NHLPA's Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Though he can skate with the team now, after a month of inaction, he will not be at head coach Bruce Boudreau's disposal until March 11.
Horcoff had 10 points through 45 games in his first season with Anaheim, which has shot up the league standings in his absence.
The Ducks acquired two bottom-six players at the trade deadline in Brandon Pirri and Jamie McGinn.
Horcoff is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
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Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for February, the league announced Tuesday.
McDavid edged Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin for the honor after an absolutely dominant 14-game stretch in his return from a 37-game absence on Feb. 2.
Connor McDavid (@EdmontonOilers), who led all rookies with 5-12—17 in 14 GP, named Rookie of the Month for February. https://t.co/Vd36X7pOdy
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 1, 2016
The highlight of the month came when he recorded a career-high five-point performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 11.
The 19-year-old phenom now has 10 goals and 19 assists in 27 games, averaging 1.07 points per game.
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The Connor McDavid effect will be put to the test once again Tuesday.
Nail Yakupov is staying put past the trade deadline, and it appears he'll have every opportunity to show the Edmonton Oilers what he's capable of in the final 18 games of the season. With Benoit Pouliot reportedly sidelined indefinitely due to a separated shoulder, Yakupov will slot in next to McDavid and Jordan Eberle on Edmonton's top line against the Buffalo Sabres.
"He's been waiting for this opportunity & we're giving it to him. We expect big things." Coach McLellan on Yak joining McDavid & Eberle
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 1, 2016
The 22-year-old forward has struggled mightily this season, failing to register a point in his last five games, while recording just three goals in 20 contests since returning from an ankle injury on Jan. 14. The good news is, McDavid can certainly elevate his play.
Two-thirds of Yakupov's 15 points in 42 games this season have come while playing on a line with McDavid:
| Games | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| With McDavid | 13 | 10 |
| Without McDavid | 29 | 5 |
Growth in production is nothing new for players playing alongside the 19-year-old rookie phenom:
| Player | Games Without McDavid | Points | Games With McDavid | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Eberle | 37 | 22 | 14 | 16 |
| Benoit Pouliot | 34 | 14 | 27 | 21 |
Amid endless speculation surrounding Yakupov's future with the Oilers, there's clearly no better time than now for the former first overall pick to turn his career around. If not, it's certainly possible he could find himself playing somewhere else in the near future.
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He might be one of his best friends, but Alex Ovechkin plans to bring the hurt when he faces former teammate Brooks Laich.
The Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday in the first matchup between the clubs since the two executed the trade that sent Laich, Connor Carrick, and a second-round pick to the Maple Leafs for forward Danniel Winnik and a fifth-round pick, and Ovechkin doesn't plan to take it easy.
"When we have a power play he’s gonna be PK and I’m gonna shoot him in the foot and laugh about it," Ovechkin said, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
Ovechkin sent his well wishes early Sunday morning after learning about the trade. The two had been the longest-serving Capitals on the roster, both suiting up for their first full season with the team in 2005.
Trotz said he thinks it'll be "awkward" for Laich tomorrow. But thinks it's good for Laich to get that reunion over with fast.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 1, 2016
With the Maple Leafs already hampered by injuries, hopes are that Ovechkin goes a little easy on his pal.
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Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo has been issued a five-game suspension from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette.
The NHL cited Rinaldo's lengthy suspension history, and ultimately deemed that Paquette's head - the principal point of contact - was avoidable in his attempt to separate the Lightning center from the puck.
Rinaldo has now accrued 19 games in suspension from four separate incidents in his NHL career, as Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe points out.
He will forfeit nearly $52,000 as a result of his latest ban.
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