Blues Will Enter New Era If Robert Thomas Leaves
Trade rumors are kicking up as the March 6th Trade Deadline draws near. Central to recent discussion is St. Louis Blues top center Robert Thomas, who appears set to enter the prime years of his career on a team that’s falling short. That rift has opened discussions around Thomas’ future in St. Louis. The Blues would be open to moving their star, only if they receive an offer they can’t refuse or a younger, top-six forward, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the January 23rd episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. It’s no surprise that St. Louis would need a convincing offer – moving on from Thomas would quickly thrust the franchise into its next era.
The search for a true top-center is a race every team must run. St. Louis has historically done well at making sure that role is locked down at all times. Hall-of-Famer Pierre Turgeon passed the title to Doug Weight in the early 2000’s, only for Keith Tkachuk to take over before the 2010’s. By then, St. Louis had promoted David Backes into a daily lineup role. He would go on to captain the team until 2016, when he moved to the Boston Bruins. That decision left St. Louis with a vacancy – briefly filled by Brayden Schenn – that they didn’t fully fill until acquiring Ryan O’Reilly ahead of their Stanley Cup-winning 2018-19 season.
O’Reilly separated from the Blues in 2023. By then, Thomas had reached 23 years old and nearly 300 games of NHL experience. He was ready to take on a true starring role, made evident by the 65 points he scored in 73 games of the 2022-23 campaign – then, a stout follow-up to the 77 points he scored in 2021-22. Thomas began receiving 20 minutes of ice time routinely following O’Reilly’s departure. He stood up to St. Louis’ top role – once filled by current and future Hall-of-Famers – with glowing results.
Thomas scored 26 goals and 86 points while playing all 82 games of the 2023-24 season, his first year as St. Louis’ unimpeded #1. He became the first Blue to reach the 60-assist mark in the 2000’s, and the first since Craig Janney in 1994. Like Janney, Thomas went back-to-back with the accolade, recording 21 goals and 81 points in 70 games last season.
The consecutive performances were more than lightning striking twice. Thomas became the central core of St. Louis’ offense in the top role. His versatility was invaluable as the Blues figured out how to deploy north-south scorer Jordan Kyrou, and youngsters like Jake Neighbours, without getting burned. Thomas did it all, showing just as much flash in puck battles against the end-boards as he did in open space at the tops of the circles.
Thomas’ success became a forgone conclusion after another statement year last season. With a faceoff percentage consistently north of 50 percent, and plenty of intangibles, the Blues had molded another well-rounded star into their top center role. But the 2025-26 season has disappointed. St. Louis ranks dead-last in the NHL in goals scored (126) which has cut Thomas’ scoring down to 33 points in 42 games – still the most on the team by five points.
At 26, Thomas is stepping into the golden years of his career. He has already won one Stanley Cup in St. Louis but may not have too many more chances to chase another with the club’s current trajectory. The Blues are set to turn over their general manager position to rookie manager Alexander Steen this summer. Once a candidate for St. Louis’ top-center role himself, Steen will face the task of pushing the Blues forward after – presumably – their third playoff miss in the last four seasons. The prospect cupboards are stocked – with top prospects like Dalibor Dvorsky, Dylan Holloway, and Jimmy Snuggerud already making a splash in the NHL.
If that young success will be enough to convince St. Louis to separate with their true star is unclear. Thomas has found deep roots with the Blues and offers enough talent to lift a rocky ship, with the right pieces around him. He could lead St. Louis back to the postseason within a couple years just as well as he could fetch them a hefty return on the open market. How the Blues weigh those outcomes could go a long way in showing their long-term trust in smooth-face GM Steen and his ability to find another top center.
Photo courtesy of Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports.
Poll: Who Should Win The 2026 Jack Adams Award?
The NHL season is beyond its halfway point and the standings have turned into one of the closest races in recent memory. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres sit in playoff contention, while the back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers are on the outside looking in. Such a tight year has brought on a heap of questions. Buried under the team projections and playoff hopes sits an almost-impossibly tough question to answer: who should take home the Jack Adams Award as ‘Coach of the Year’ in a year like this?
The evergreen candidates are certain to be at the top of the list. Jared Bednar has worked out a miracle season with the Colorado Avalanche. Just one week away from February, the Avalanche have only lost six games in regulation and 15 in total. Their 35 wins in 50 games is the third-highest win-percentage (.790) since 2000, behind only the 2022-23 Boston Bruins and the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. Bruins’ head coach Jim Montgomery won the Adams for his record-setting season but Chicago’s Joel Quenneville wasn’t awarded the same honors. That could mean Bednar has more to prove, even as his team decimates a quiet Western Conference.
Jon Cooper, Bruce Cassidy, and Rod Brind’Amour have each continued their own success through a new year. Each of the three – representing Tampa Bay, Vegas, and Carolina – sit in playoff contention on the back of familiar stars and breakout years.
But their success has become routine over recent years. The same can’t be said for the Buffalo Sabres, who have blazed a shocking season thanks to Lindy Ruff in his second year back with the club. Buffalo boasts a 29-17-5 record or .618 win-percentage, miles above the 36-39-7 and .482 win-percentage they set last season. Ruff was the last head coach to lead Buffalo to the postseason, all the way back in 2011. He took the club to eight postseason appearances, and one Stanley Cup Final, over 12 years with the club from 1998 to 2011. After a year to settle back into his spot, it appears Ruff could do it again, and snap the longest-running playoff drought in major men’s sports.
Ruff will lead a class of underdog candidates for the Jack Adams. He’s sat next to rookie NHL coach Dan Muse, a former staple of USA Hockey who brings unique tactics behind the bench. Muse is one of the league’s younger head coaches and has made do with a transforming Penguins lineup, bringing the best out of rookie Benjamin Kindel and second-chance winger Anthony Mantha. If that is enough to win out the Adams in a tight year is yet to be seen – though it’s certainly a statement way to start an NHL career.
Red Wings’ head coach Todd McLellan will hold a flame after leading the club to the top of the Atlantic Division following his usurping of Derek Lalonde last season. Montreal’s Martin St. Louis, Boston’s Marco Sturm, and Utah’s Andre Tourigny could also make the list – thanks to how well they’ve pulled together rosters in flux.
The race for Jack Adams is often closely-followed, but seems to carry a bit more weight in a season split between record-setting winners, drought-enders, and unsuspecting stars. Each candidate holds a strong case for taking home hardware this summer. Who do you think should hear their name called?
Who Should Win The 2026 Jack Adams?
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Lindy Ruff, BUF 29% (222)
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Dan Muse, PIT 22% (164)
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Jared Bednar, COL 17% (127)
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Jon Cooper, TBL 15% (116)
Total votes: 757
Mobile users click here to vote.
Lightning Place Charle-Edouard D’Astous On IR, Recall Maxim Groshev
Another shakeup is inbound for the Tampa Bay Lightning defense. Budding youngster Charle-Edouard D’Astous has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and recalled Maxim Groshev, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. D’Astous left Tampa Bay’s Saturday loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period after a leg-on-leg collision.
It seems that hit will leave more than just a bruise and D’Astous will now be required to miss at least one week of action. Tampa Bay plays two games in the next week. D’Astous will be eligible to return just before Tampa Bay’s Stadium Series matchup against the Boston Bruins on February 1st.
D’Astous has climbed into an important role for the Bolts in his rookie NHL season. He has averaged 19:23 in ice time through 43 games and ranks second on the blue-line in scoring with 17 points. He has also racked up 45 blocks and 53 hits. The undrafted D’Astous has had a breakout season this year, enough to earn a one-year extension with the Lightning earlier in the season. As a veteran of the ECHL, his climb up the depth chart has been impressive, and should continue on the other side of a stinging injury.
In the meantime, Groshev will return to the NHL. He made his NHL debut on December 28th and recorded one assist. It was a strong first-look, though Groshev has run into a quiet streak in eight games since returning to the minors. He still ranks second on the Syracuse Crunch’s blue-line in scoring with 13 points in 35 games. That performance has been enough to pull the 24 year old up Tampa Bay’s call-up sheet – and may even earn him a return to the NHL lineup. Groshev is a left-defender, like D’Astous, which could give him the advantage over right-defense Simon Lundmark who is in Tampa Bay’s press box.
Avalanche Activate Scott Wedgewood; Reassign Jack Ahcan, Isak Posch
Goaltender Scott Wedgewood is back with the Colorado Avalanche after welcoming the birth of his second child. He has been activataed from the non-roster list, while defenseman Jack Ahcan and goaltender Isak Posch have been reassigned to the minor-leagues.
Ahcan has played three games since being recalled before Wednesday’s shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks. He recorded one assist, three shots on goal, and a minus-one in the trio of appearances. Those marks bring Ahcan up to two points in nine NHL games this season. He also leads the AHL’s Colorado Eagles defense in scoring with 24 points in 29 games. The 28 year old has proven a reliable utility-knife down Colorado’s depth chart. He will return to a minor-league role and stay a top call-up option for the next time the Avalanche are in need.
Posch did not play with the Avalanche on what was the first call-up of his pro career. He has recorded a 12-5-5 record and .902 save percentage in 20 games as an AHL rookie this season.
Wedgewood missed Colorado’s last two games on his personal leave. Top goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood took over the net and posted a 1-1 record, while allowing eight goals. Wedgewood has earned the lion’s share of Colorado’s starts this season, while Blackwood recovered from injury. He has recorded a dazzling 20-3-5 record and .918 save percentage in 30 games, both just better than Blackwood’s 14-3-1 record and .911 Sv%. The two will continue to operate as one of the best one-two-punches in the league now that Wedgewood is back with the team.
Islanders Recall Isaiah George, Assign Cole McWard To AHL
Saturday: The Islanders announced that they have indeed recalled George from Bridgeport. To make room on the roster, McWard has been sent down.
Friday: The New York Islanders are expected to turn towards a top prospect to help them with injuries. Defenseman Isaiah George appears to have been recalled to the NHL just before the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders’ Friday night game per Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News.
This would be George’s first call-up of the 2025-26 season. He has spent the first half of the year in a focused role with Bridgeport, that he’s rewarded with 10 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a plus-five in 24 games. That performance is a hardy step up from the 14 points and minus-16 that George recorded in 33 AHL games last season. He also played the first 33 games of his NHL career last year, netting five points and a minus-three. Through a struggled stat line, George showed flashes of two-way upside at the NHL and AHL level last season. He has looked well improved in the minor-leagues this season. With better footing, George could be set to make a stronger push for an NHL role.
He could see ice time right out of the gates as New York looks to address a day-to-day injury to top-four defenseman Ryan Pulock. Extra defenseman Cole McWard would be the de facto replacement if Pulock couldn’t play. McWard has scored 16 points in 29 AHL games and no points in three NHL games this season. He is also a right-handed shot, which wouldn’t pair as nicely with righty Adam Boqvist as the left-handed George. That could be enough to earn George a shot at his first NHL game of the season, should Pulock need to miss time.
Hurricanes’ Eric Robinson Could Be Out Through Olympic Break
The Carolina Hurricanes could face an extended stretch without one impactful winger. Eric Robinson could be out until the team returns from the Winter Olympics break on February 26th, head coach Rod Brind’Amour told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer. Robinson left Carolina’s Monday win over the Buffalo Sabres in the first period after he was knocked awkwardly into the ice by Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. He was nursing his left shoulder on his way off the ice and has since appeared at practice with that arm in a sling.
Robinson has returned to the utility role he carved out in the Hurricanes lineup last season. He has 10 goals, 15 points, and an offense-best plus-seven in 44 games this season. Those marks are well in-line with the 14 goals, 32 points, and plus-14 – all career-highs – that Robinson posted in his first year with Carolina. Even from a bottom-six role, the 30-year-old winger has proven to bring a routine, positive impact.
The Hurricanes brought Jesperi Kotkaniemi back into the lineup after a healthy scratch, following Robinson’s injury. Kotkaniemi made good work of the return, recording one assist, two shots, and three hits in Thursday’s shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He could stick in the lineup for at least six more games should Robinson indeed sit out through the Olympics. Carolina could also see this as a chance to reward one of their top prospects with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. The Wolves are led in scoring by Justin Robidas, Bradly Nadeau, and Felix Unger-Sorum – all candidates to earn a brief recall if Robinson lands on injured reserve.
Hurricanes Open To Moving Alexander Nikishin For Star
The Carolina Hurricanes have made a habit out of making big moves for impact veterans at the Trade Deadline. It appears they’re gearing up to repeat that trend this season. The Hurricanes would even be open to moving star rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin if it meant landing a high-end addition, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on Thursday’s episode of Sportsnet Today.
Pagnotta added that Carolina would need a star, or even superstar, return and contract control to be swayed enough to give up Nikishin. That likely cuts down the change of the rookie moving by quite a bit – but there’s no doubt that teams will line up for the Russian defender. Nikishin has recorded six goals, 20 points, and a plus-12 through 50 NHL games this season. Those stats rank second, third, and first respectively among rookie defenders.
Nikishin also leads rookie defenders in hits (92) and ranks second in blocks (61). He has proven an ability to fit wherever Carolina needs him, even while working through cold feet to start the year. This comes after Nikishin posted a true breakout season in Russia’s KHL last year. He blew out the record for most points by a U22 defenseman in KHL history, finishing the year with 11 goals and 55 points in 65 games – 20 points more than second place. Nikishin emerged as the top defender for Russia’s biggest club – SKA St. Petersburg – and finished the year with a four-game stint in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Carolina wields clear, top-end value by dangling Nikishin to potential buyers regardless of where they are in the standings. He could be a strong fill-in for the injured Lian Bichsel with the Dallas Stars, potentially enough to land scoring winger Jason Robertson. Or Nikishin could be seen as a final piece for a struggling club like the St. Louis Blues, who have faced trade rumors around top center Robert Thomas.
It is hard to say who Carolina could be in on as the Deadline rolls around. The Hurricanes will have an estimated $35.48MM in deadline cap space, per PuckPedia. They also have two first-round picks, and one second-round pick, over the next two drafts. That flexibility, along with Nikishin, could help Carolina match just about any offer when trade season really heats up.
Kraken Recall Jacob Melanson, Place Ben Meyers On IR
The Seattle Kraken will be down a hot hand for the final two games of their current homestand. Depth forward Ben Meyers has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury that has him out week-to-week. Meyers scored three points in his last two games. The Kraken have responded to his injury by recalling forward Jacob Melanson in a corresponding move.
It isn’t entirely clear when Meyers sustained his injury. He played through the final minute of action in Wednesday night’s win over the New York Islanders and recorded one point and one shot in the contest. Meyers didn’t appear to be nursing an injury in his final shift but will now land on the shelf for a minimum of one week and three games. He will be eligible to return on January 29th, when the Krkaen host the Toronto Maple Leafs to close out a six-game homestand.
Meyers has chipped his way up to Seattle’s third-line with a strong, two-way effort as of late. He ranks third on the offense in hits (15) and second in penalty-kill ice time (20:41) since the start of 2026. On the year, Meyers has recorded 11 points, 36 hits, and 40 shots on goal in 31 games. He’s proven to be a responsible veteran near the bottom of Seattle’s lineup, a role that could be hard to replace with an AHL call-up.
Melanson has been a responsible piece of the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ lineup this year, with 16 points and 28 penalty minutes in 26 games. He has carved out a top-six role and ranks third among Firebirds forwards in plus-minus with a plus-seven. That diligence hasn’t quite translated to the top flight, with Melanson boasting only four points and a minus-two in 15 NHL games this season. They are the first NHL games of his career, except for his NHL debut, which he made at the end of last season.
That inexperience could be a motivator as Melanson looks to make himself comfortable in a bottom-six role in place of the toolsy Meyers. He will compete with Tye Kartye for a spot in the lineup. Kartye has recorded seven points and a minus-seven in 37 games this season.
Flames Prospect Cullen Potter Sustains Season-Ending Injury
The Calgary Flames have been dealt bad news for a 2025 first-round pick. Arizona State University centerman Cullen Potter, the 32nd-overall pick in last year’s draft, sustained a season-ending upper-body injury in a January 10th match against Miami University. The injury occured on a hard hit from 2026 draft prospect Kocha Delic. Potter will undergo surgery and face a three-to-four month recovery process, head coach Greg Powers told reporters including Gabriella Chernoff of the Sun Devil Source.
Potter was a feature piece of a strong Sun Devils offense this season. He leads the team with 12 goals and has 26 points in 24 games. His season has been an encore to the breakout freshman season Potter had at ASU last season. He bought out of his contract with the U.S. National Team Development Program before his U18 season, opting instead to go to college for his draft season. The move seemed like a tall bet for the undersized, skilled-scorer but Potter stood up to the test. He scored 13 goals and 22 points in 35 games, second-most of all draft eligibles in college behind James Hagens.
Potter is the son of Jenny Potter, a former star of Team USA’s women’s national team. The elder Potter won one Olympic Gold, four World Championship Golds, and nine other international medals through a 20-year career that began when she was named an Olympian at 19. She was a high-speed, high-finesse scorer with a knack for filling all roles on offense. The younger Potter plays a similar style to his mom, bringing explosive speed and high skill to the offense.
Those talents have made Potter one of Calgary’s top prospects, a status that’s sure to stick even through an early end to his sophomore season. He will return to a starring role with the Sun Devils next season, flanked by fellow NHL draft picks and incoming recruits Benjamin Kevan, Nathan Behm, Brandon Gorzynski.
Penguins’ Kris Letang Day-To-Day With Upper-Body Injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without both of their star defensemen for the short-term. After facing an injury to Erik Karlsson, the Penguins have announced that Kris Letang is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Letang missed practice on Tuesday and will be questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Calgary Flames.
It is not clear when Letang’s injury occured. He played 22 minutes of ice time and recorded a plus-three in Monday’s win over the Seattle Kraken. The Penguins still have three games on their road trip through the Pacific Northwest before returning home to host the Chicago Blackhawks on January 29th.
Letang has filled a major role in the lineup since Karlsson’s injury, averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time in the last four games. He has recorded three assists in that stretch, bringing his season scoring up to 25 points in 48 games. Even in his age-38 season, Letang has continued to answer the bell as a top offensive-defenseman for the Penguins. His role will be impossible to replace, particularly so for a Penguins blue-line that hasn’t been known for depth in recent years.
Ryan Shea seems set to benefit most from the extra minutes. He recorded 20:14 in ice time on Monday, marking his 15th game this season with more than 20 minutes of ice time. In Letang’s absence, Shea – a left-handed defender who has played on the right-hand side – could assume top-pair duties next to Brett Kulak.
That shift will bring right-defenseman Jack St. Ivany down from the press box. St. Ivany has scored three assist in 14 games this season. His plus-three ranks third on the blue-line, behind Shea (plus-14) and Letang (plus-five). Pittsburgh also has left-defenseman Ilya Solovyov on the active roster.