The Vancouver Canucks sent their captain to the Minnesota Wild for an eye-watering haul. The Canucks essentially got four first-round picks as the return featured three players selected in the first round plus a future first-round selection. So, the question begs: How does the Quinn Hughes trade affect the Toronto Maple Leafs? The short answer is: Not much. This trade mainly affects the balance of power in the Western Conference. The Wild will now move into a whole different category of contention.
"Again, not the start we wanted. I give the guys a lot of credit. I'm not going to think too much into it. I thought the effort was there; it's just the execution wasn't. Just a great gutsy win by our guys. Wins like this can continue to propel our team to climb the standings and [help the players] understand what we need to do to become a successful team." - John Gruden
Depending on where Hughes lands, there could be serious implications for the Maple Leafs. If Hughes goes to the Detroit Red Wings, the Leafs could be seriously impacted. But beyond Hughes' potential landing spot, an interesting question comes to mind: Could the Toronto Maple Leafs use the Quinn Hughes trade as a template for a possible Auston Matthews deal? Questions regarding the Maple Leafs potentially trading Auston Matthews have not been foreign to the team.
For the Boston Bruins, it's sunshine and bear attacks. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, it's weather patterns and pirates. On Feb. 1, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium -- home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- it's two more jerseys in the tradition of the NHL Stadium Series' bold design choices. "They really capture what the Stadium Series is about: Taking chances, leaning in, designing toward the future of the game and having fun doing it," said Dom Fillion, creative director for Fanatics. The Bruins are playing in their sixth NHL outdoor game, while the Lightning are playing in their second.
Anders Lee added another milestone chapter to his Islanders legacy Thursday night, scoring twice on the power play in the Isles' 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks and moving into rare air on the franchise's all-time goal-scoring list. With goals No. 296 and 297, Lee passed longtime teammate Brock Nelson to claim sole possession of fifth place in Islanders history - and the only names ahead of him now are Hall of Famers and four-time Stanley Cup champions: Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, and Denis Potvin.
The 19-year-old winger, Moose Jaw's captain, has not played in a game since November 22. "Lynden Lakovic will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to an upper-body injury that requires surgery," the Warriors tweeted. "The Moose Jaw Warriors thank Lynden for everything he has done for our organization and our community. Lynden, Moose Jaw, will be following your career as you move on to the pro level."
Here are my takes on each team's number one stud so that you can keep your eye out for them during the action this season. While I encourage you to watch hockey for the sport, these guys certainly won't hurt! Do you have a favorite team? Have any of these gentlemen convinced you to become a fan? Let me know in the comments!
Many around the league were prepared for Crosby trade talk to become its own cottage industry in 2025-26, as the Pittsburgh Penguins star center sought a return to the Stanley Cup playoffs on another team. Alas, the Penguins might end up being Crosby's playoff team, having amassed a .625 points percentage through 28 games and holding down a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. If they're playing meaningful games this season, Crosby isn't going anywhere -- if he ever was in the first place.
In this busy time of year one of my favourite traditions is to a few moments to discuss the Leafs defensive depth situation. It didn't seem likely that there would be any need to understand the depth beyond Dakota Mermis, but thanks to his injury on Monday night, here we are discussing who replaces Mermis on the Leafs roster.
The Belarusian centerman found paydirt 8:35 into the third period after a heads-up play by the team's equipment staff. Ivan Miroshnichenko broke his stick clean in half after a shot attempt, but quickly received a new twig at the bench. As the Russian forward arrived back in the zone, he won a puck battle at the point as the Bruins desperately tried to clear and found Protas wide open in the right circle.
One of the more interesting stories to come out of the world of professional sports this week was Philip Rivers coming out of retirement to sign as a quarterback on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts. Rivers retired from the NFL after the 2020 season. He's 44 years old. He is literally a grandfather. Yet he just signed a professional football contract.
Matias Maccelli has had a slow start so far in his first season in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform. With other NHL teams making players available for trades, could the Leafs put Maccelli's name out there? He was acquired by the Leafs in a trade with the Utah Mammoth, where Toronto sent a 2027 third-round pick in exchange for the now 25-year-old forward.
