Avalanche Recall Isak Posch, Move Scott Wedgewood To Non-Roster Status
The Avalanche have made a pair of roster moves as they get set to embark on a road trip beginning Sunday in Toronto. The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled goaltender Isak Posch from AHL Colorado. To make room on the roster, netminder Scott Wedgewood has been designated to non-roster status.
Posch is in his first full professional season after signing an entry-level deal with the Avs last March following two seasons at St. Cloud State University. His first taste of the pros has been successful as the 23-year-old has a 2.45 GAA along with a .902 SV% in 20 games with the Eagles and he’ll now be rewarded with a few days of NHL pay for his efforts. He’ll serve as Mackenzie Blackwood’s backup until Wedgewood is able to return.
As for Wedgewood, this is expected to be a short-term absence. His wife just gave birth and the team is granting him a bit of extra time with his family. He’s expected to rejoin the Avalanche on their road trip. It has been a breakout year for the 33-year-old who has a 2.14 GAA with a .918 SV% in 30 starts this season, earning himself a two-year, $5MM extension for his efforts.
Lightning Recall Jakob Pelletier
One of the AHL’s top scorers is getting another NHL opportunity. The Lightning announced that they’ve recalled winger Jakob Pelletier from AHL Syracuse.
The 24-year-old signed a three-year contract with Tampa Bay last summer worth the league minimum in each season. The hope was that he could battle for a full-time spot at the bottom of their lineup after putting up 19 points in just 49 games last season between Calgary and Philadelphia. However, that didn’t happen and he instead cleared waivers and was sent to the Crunch.
Aside from a one-game stint back in mid-November where he played just over six minutes, Pelletier has played exclusively with Syracuse this season. Given a chance to play in a top-line role, he has certainly made the most of it, posting 19 goals and 22 assists in 35 games. His 41 points put him third in league scoring although he likely won’t have anywhere near the same role with the Lightning if he gets into the lineup.
Tampa Bay had one open roster spot following the recent return of goaltender Brandon Halverson to the minors so no corresponding move needed to be made to recall Pelletier to the active roster.
Capitals Sign Bogdan Trineyev To Two-Year Extension
Earlier this season, Capitals winger Bogdan Trineyev made his NHL debut. Between that and a solid showing in the minors, he has shown enough to earn a longer look from the team. The Caps announced that they’ve inked the winger to a two-year, $1.8MM contract extension. The deal will be a two-way deal in 2026-27, paying $850K in the NHL and $225K in the minors before converting to a one-way salary of $950K for the 2027-28 campaign.
The 23-year-old was a fourth-round pick by Washington back in 2020, going 117th overall. It took until the 2022-23 campaign for him to become a full-time player in the KHL when he was in the first season of his entry-level deal. Trineyev managed just two goals and 11 assists in 39 games with Dynamo Moskva but he has been a bit more productive offensively since making the jump to North America full-time for the 2023-24 campaign.
That year with AHL Hershey, Trineyev had 16 points in 63 contests before upping his output to 22 points in 62 games last season before adding seven more in eight playoff outings. That was enough to earn him a one-year, two-way deal for this season and he has made the most of it. Trineyev has played in 30 games so far for the Bears in 2025-26, picking up nine goals and 11 assists while already setting a new personal best in the latter category. That earned him a two-game stint with Washington last month although he’s still looking for his first NHL point.
Assuming that Trineyev gets into 78 more NHL games between now and the end of the 2027-28 season, he will remain eligible for restricted free agency with salary arbitration rights. If he doesn’t get into that many outings at the top level, he will instead become eligible for Group Six unrestricted free agency at that time.
Pacific Notes: Myers, Chytil, Sherwood
With the Canucks heading for another postseason miss, they’re a team that’s expected to move out more veterans before the March 6th trade deadline. But one veteran who doesn’t want to be on the move is defenseman Tyler Myers. He told reporters including Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province that there’s “no question” that he wants to stay in Vancouver. The 35-year-old is in his seventh season with the Canucks and has largely played on the second pairing during that time, a role he still holds now. With one year left on his deal at an affordable $3MM, Myers is someone that teams will undoubtedly be inquiring about. However, he does control his fate this season with a full no-move clause; that protection dips to a 12-team no-trade list in July, however.
More from the Pacific:
- Still with the Canucks, center Filip Chytil met with the media yesterday (video link) before his return to the lineup. One thing he wanted to set the record straight on is the number of concussions he’s had. While speculation has suggested the number could be as high as eight, Chytil stated that he hasn’t had quite that many, though he declined to set the record straight on just how many he has dealt with. Head injuries (concussion or otherwise) have been an issue for the 26-year-old, especially in recent years as he has been limited to just 73 games since the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
- After acquiring Kiefer Sherwood, the Sharks reached out about a contract extension but there’s apparently a sizable gap to bridge on that front. GM Mike Grier spoke to reporters earlier this week including Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News and wouldn’t rule out the possibility of listening to offers on Sherwood. That said, he was quick to call the winger a targeted acquisition and he’s clearly someone that they envision fitting on the roster beyond this season. But Sherwood’s hot start offensively and his physical prowess could potentially push his next contract past the $5MM per season mark despite the 30-year-old only being a full-time NHL player for three years now. If he remains unsigned leading up to the deadline, it’s possible that Sherwood finds himself back in trade speculation.
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.
Morning Notes: Pettersson, Thomas, Avalanche
As the Vancouver Canucks enter a turning point for the organization, much has been made of the trade candidacy of center Elias Pettersson. Multiple teams have shown interest in the former 102-point scorer, but there are no reports of any substantial developments.
Furthermore, it doesn’t sound like Pettersson has any interest in leaving Vancouver. Speaking on Donnie and Dhali, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said, “I know there’s a lot of talk about Elias Pettersson right now, I just haven’t been given any indication that he is willing to waive at this point in time.”
If the Canucks cannot find a suitable trade partner that Pettersson would consider, or if he simply does not want to leave Vancouver, he has the right to block the trade. Pettersson has a full no-movement clause in his contract, and it will remain through the 2031-32 NHL season.
Additional morning notes:
- According to an article from Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, the St. Louis Blues have understandably set an extremely high asking price for forward Robert Thomas. Even as perceived sellers leading up to the trade deadline, the Blues aren’t actively looking to move Thomas, though they will do their due diligence if a suitor gives them an offer they can’t refuse. Still, Di Marco spoke with an anonymous team source of a club that contacted St. Louis regarding Thomas, and that negotiations were killed relatively quickly due to the asking price.
- The Colorado Avalanche had a slight change to their forward core in last night’s blowout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the game, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reported that Ross Colton would miss the contest with a lower-body injury (day-to-day) and that Joel Kiviranta would take his place in the lineup. Kiviranta recently missed nearly a month with his own injury, and went scoreless in last night’s contest.
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.
Stars, Avalanche Among Favorites To Acquire Canucks’ Evander Kane
The Vancouver Canucks are once again busying up with the Trade Deadline around the corner. A focal point this year could be moving winger Evander Kane, who joined Vancouver in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers at the 2025 NHL Draft. After not clicking in the Canucks lineup, Kane could be headed across the Western Conference, with the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche currently the favorites to make a trade per NHL.com’s Kevin Weekes.
Despite spending his junior hockey days in Vancouver, Kane hasn’t found much spark in his return to the city. He has nine goals, 57 penalty minutes, and a minus-18 in 49 games with the Canucks. He’s filled an important role in the lineup – averaging 16:55 in ice time each game, sixth among Canucks forwards – but Kane has ended up one of a few sputtering tires on Vancouver’s flanks. The club traded cornerstone defenseman Quinn Hughes earlier this season and could soon do the same with top center Elias Pettersson. With a teardown in progress, a part with the veteran Kane seems only natural.
Just as fitting are the teams in the mix for landing the former Atlanta Thrasher top pick. Both Dallas and Colorado have proved to be a comfortable spot for aging veterans. The Stars have continued to get the most out of franchise icons Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, while Colorado has leaned on big impacts from Jonathan Drouin and Brock Nelson in recent years. Kane’s game has noticeably slowed down on the other side of 30 but still plays a professional style that could click in the right system. He has offered reliable goal-scoring throughout his career, netting at least 20 goals in nine of his last 13 seasons in the league. He has also recorded at least 80 penalty minutes in seven seasons.
That mix of grit and shooting – as well as Kane’s 979 games of NHL experience – will be what the Central Division rivals eye as they try to find a trade. Kane is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, which should keep his price low. Dallas has two second round picks, and one third round pick, in the next two drafts, while Colorado only has two second-round picks in 2027. Those could end up the bartering chips in a deal and Dallas holds the taller stack.
Colorado’s advantage comes in the finance books. The Avalanche will have roughly $5.089MM in cap space at the Trade Deadline, while the Stars will only have $3.267MM in space per PuckPedia. That means that Colorado will only need some cap juggling to afford adding Kane, while Dallas will need to move a minor contract.
Acquiring Kane will surely fit into a larger scheme for both teams, who seem set to buy at the Deadline after hot starts to the season. Kane will step in as a middle-six winger wherever he ends up. Joining a team headed for playoff success may even spark a final hoorah for Kane. He proved to be a hard playoff opponent in four years with the Edmonton Oilers, where he recorded 42 points and 164 penalty minutes in 68 games. That grit, and the spark of a recent move, could make Kane a timely addition in the second half.
Lightning Activate, Reassign Scott Sabourin
The Lightning announced Friday that they activated winger Scott Sabourin from injured reserve and subsequently assigned him to AHL Syracuse.
Sabourin, 33, has been more of a factor for Tampa Bay this season than anyone anticipated. The enforcer was assessed a preseason suspension and was brought up multiple times from Syracuse after the campaign started to finish serving it, making him eligible to suit up for the Bolts rather early in the schedule.
He was called into action more consistently in November and December, marking his first big league action since last January. All told, he played nine games before sustaining an undisclosed injury against the Canadiens on Dec. 28 that’s kept him out for nearly a month. That’s the second-most NHL action he’s ever seen in a single season, trailing only the 35 appearances he made as a 27-year-old rookie for the Senators in 2019-20.
Sabourin scored a goal and two assists – his first tally since that rookie year – and averaged 8:12 of ice time per game with a whopping 63 penalty minutes. No one even comes close to Sabourin’s 12.19 penalties taken per 60 minutes this season. Ottawa’s Kurtis MacDermid is a distant second at 8.40.
The 6’4″, 207-lb winger has always displayed enough of a scoring touch to challenge for top-nine deployment in the minors and is thus a fine enough fourth-line spark plug at the NHL level in short-term regular-season deployment. We likely haven’t seen the last of him in Tampa this season as a result. For now, though, he returns to Syracuse, where he’s notched six goals and two assists in 20 games this year.