Blackhawks Recall Kevin Korchinski, Sam Rinzel
The Blackhawks announced Wednesday that they’ve recalled defense prospects Kevin Korchinski and Sam Rinzel from AHL Rockford. Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4 in the corresponding move.
Chicago doesn’t have any defensemen in Italy suiting up at the Olympics, so it’s likely these recalls will result in actual playing time for the two youngsters. Korchinski, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft, especially stands to benefit as a lefty, more directly replacing Kaiser’s slot on the depth chart. Since recording 15 points in 76 games for the Hawks as a rookie in 2023-24, Chicago has been much more restrictive with his development, leaving him mostly in the AHL to work on developing his all-around game.
His minor-league stats indicate the Hawks are still working to undo any damage they may have done by rushing him into the NHL lineup as a 19-year-old two years ago. He’s posted a respectable 5-45–50 scoring line in 101 games for Rockford over the last two years but that’s come with a -39 rating, including a team-worst -22 mark this year. He nonetheless leads Rockford in scoring from the blue line with 23 points in 45 games. For a Chicago blue line that’s struggled to get offense from anyone not named Artyom Levshunov this year, he could be of benefit to their 26th-ranked offense until Kaiser is ready to get back into the fold.
Rinzel, taken several spots after Korchinski in the first round in 2022, broke camp with the Hawks after a strong finish last season that saw him record five assists in his first nine NHL games after wrapping up his sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. Ice time was harder to latch onto as a full-timer, though, averaging 17:09 per game through the first two months of this year after getting top-pairing deployment down the stretch in 2024-25.
After Rinzel had an even rating and nine points in 31 games, Chicago opted to send Rinzel to Rockford in early December for additional development. The well-rounded righty has looked solid there, rattling off 14 points in 23 games with a -8 rating on a team with an ugly -30 goal differential.
He’s now one of four righties on the Hawks’ active roster, so the path to playing time is murkier than what Korchinski has at the moment. Head coach Jeff Blashill has opted to dress seven defensemen frequently this season, though, so he should have a decent shot at getting in the lineup, even if his ice time isn’t extensive.
Kaiser sustained a lower-body injury in Chicago’s final game before the Olympic break. Head coach Jeff Blashill said yesterday that he’ll miss a couple of games on the other side but will be back at some point down the stretch.
Lightning’s Maxwell Crozier Out For Regular Season
Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury during the Olympic break, the team announced Wednesday. He’ll be out for approximately 10 weeks, putting his projected return date in late April – after the end of the regular season. He hasn’t yet been placed on injured reserve or long-term injured reserve, but will presumably land there closer to when the Bolts get back into game action on Feb. 25.
The 25-year-old Crozier has been out for a multi-game stretch several times this season. The 2019 fourth-round pick has worked his way into a full-time role with all the injuries on Tampa’s blue line this season, but he’s also lost 19 games to undisclosed injuries and illness. Whether or not his core muscle is what’s been plaguing him since first exiting the lineup in mid-October remains to be seen, but in any event, he won’t be an option for the Bolts again until late in a potential first-round playoff matchup.
Crozier has emerged as a valuable bottom-pairing piece, especially with how much the Bolts have had to rely on their defensive depth. In a career-high 34 appearances, he’s logged a goal and nine assists for 10 points with strong possession control numbers at even strength, including a 53.7 CF% and a 53.4 xGF%. It’s his third straight year seeing NHL ice, logging 13 appearances in 2023-24 and another five last year. The righty has good size at 6’3″ and 204 lbs and has averaged 16 minutes per night.
With the Bolts’ hot streak leading into the deadline giving them a 92% chance of taking home the Atlantic Division crown (per MoneyPuck), Crozier’s absence isn’t an insurmountable obstacle by any stretch. Still, with Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg both questionable to be ready coming out of the break, they’ll be down another depth option if injury-prone veterans Victor Hedman or Ryan McDonagh end up needing another IR stint.
It’s worth noting the Bolts do have the fourth-most difficult remaining schedule, according to Tankathon. Missing Crozier for the stretch run could up the urgency for general manager Julien BriseBois to pursue a depth addition at the deadline to help fill Crozier’s role as a No. 6/7 option.
Paul Coffey Rejoining Oilers Coaching Staff
After transitioning from a bench role to an advisory position last summer, Paul Coffey is returning to his job as an assistant coach under Kris Knoblauch for the remainder of the season, the Oilers announced Wednesday.
Coffey hasn’t been particularly active in off-ice roles since ending his playing career in 2001, but he has been recently. He first rejoined the franchise where he won three Stanley Cups as a skills coach in January 2018. He remained in that post for just a season and a half before eventually becoming a senior advisor ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. When the Oilers replaced Woodcroft with Knoblauch as head coach early in the 2023-24 campaign, Coffey was added to the bench as an assistant overseeing Edmonton’s defense as part of the reconstruction.
The Hall-of-Famer ended up being a key part of revitalizing the effectiveness of the Oilers’ depth defense en route to back-to-back Cup Final appearances. Without him on the bench this season, their team structure has collapsed. Last season, the Oilers were ninth in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5 at 2.29, per MoneyPuck. This year, that number has jumped to 2.54 – all the way down to 24th.
As the Oilers look to hang on to a divisional berth in the Pacific down the stretch, they’re hoping to get a defensive boost from Coffey in the process. They never replaced his spot on the staff after he transitioned out, so they’ve only been operating with two assistants this year.
Maple Leafs Recall William Villeneuve
The Maple Leafs announced they’ve recalled defenseman William Villeneuve from AHL Toronto. He’ll give the Leafs an extra defenseman at practices for the time being while they await Oliver Ekman-Larsson‘s return from representing Sweden at the Olympics.
Villeneuve hasn’t gotten a recall yet this season. Some have questioned that decision given the lack of puck-moving ability on Toronto’s blue line outside of Ekman-Larsson and Morgan Rielly. The 23-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2020 and is now in his fourth pro season.
Last year marked a breakout for the 6’2″ righty. After a pair of decent showings lower in the Marlies’ lineup, he had his minutes elevated and exploded for 36 assists and 40 points in 55 games, leading the team’s defense in scoring along with a team-high +17 rating. His stock has tanked in 2025-26, though. With 18 points in 40 games, he’s on pace for the worst offensive performance of his professional career and has flipped to a team-worst -8 rating. His drop-off is part of a larger decline from the Marlies’ roster, though – he still leads their blue line in scoring.
His NHL-ready size and longer body of two-way success in the AHL still has him ranked as Toronto’s No. 5 prospect and No. 2-ranked defenseman, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun opined earlier this month. A pending restricted free agent, he’s a clear bet to receive a qualifying offer for the second year in a row and could be in line for his NHL debut down the stretch if Toronto sells off a defender or two ahead of the trade deadline.
West Notes: Ducks, Kaiser, Mammoth
The Anaheim Ducks took the ice today for their first practice back from the Olympic break, with Leo Carlsson and Frank Vatrano full participants, as noted by Derek Lee of The Hockey News. Both players are working their way back from procedures.
In Carlsson, the 21-year-old young star was one of the biggest stories of the first half of the campaign, as he has broken out along with his Ducks, putting up 44 points in as many games. Carlsson was on his way to representing Team Sweden at the Olympics until a Morel-Lavallée lesion sidelined him in mid-January, requiring surgery.
On the other hand, while many Ducks have enjoyed such breakouts in 2025-26 under new Head Coach Joel Quenneville, it has been the opposite for Vatrano. The 31-year-old has just three goals and six points in 38 games, night and day from his 37-goal production two seasons ago. Although, to be fair, it came at an unsustainable 13.6% shooting percentage, and the emergence of several young forwards has cut his ice time dramatically. The Massachusetts native sustained a shoulder fracture in late December which brought a six week timeline estimation.
Currently clinging to the second Wild Card spot, where they’ll look to hold off rivals and end a seven year postseason dry spell, Anaheim returns to action on February 25 as they host the Oilers.
Elsewhere across the conference:
- Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach Jeff Blashill told reporters, including Greg Boysen of Blackhawk Up, that Wyatt Kaiser will remain sidelined after the Olympic break, but it’s expected he will return at some point later in the season. Back on February 4, the defenseman had an awkward leg injury against Columbus that was cause for real concern. The 23-year-old has a subpar 45.8% corsi for at even strength and is a -12, but he’s averaging 19:10 a night, the most in his career so far.
- Mammoth forwards Logan Cooley and Alexander Kerfoot were both regular participants in practice today, but still working their way back to game shape, as reported by Cole Bagley of KSL Sports. Cooley hasn’t played since early December after a scary lower body injury which thankfully avoided season-ending designation. Meanwhile, Kerfoot underwent a procedure in October, delaying his start to the campaign until January. The 31-year-old found the back of the net once in nine games, the 99th goal of his career, but appears to have had a setback. Both players returned to the ice February 2 in non contact jerseys, with another step in recovery today. Even without their young star and a veteran role player, Utah is marching along toward the playoffs this spring.
Canucks Recall Aku Koskenvuo
With several teams summoning players from their AHL affiliates today to practice during remainder of the Olympics, the Vancouver Canucks got in on the action, announcing that goaltender Aku Koskenvuo has been recalled under emergency conditions. The 22-year-old will practice with the team while Kevin Lankinen remains with Team Finland, representing both his and Koskenvuo’s home country.
Chosen in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, Koskenvuo developed at Harvard prior to turning pro in 2025-26. So far this year he’s played nine games for Abbotsford of the AHL, also making six appearances in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings, indicative that the 22-year-old is at least fifth on the goaltending depth chart for now. The 6’4″ left catcher has a 2-5 record so far in the AHL with a .895 save percentage and 3.20 goals-against-average.
Still in the beginning stages of his career, the 22-year-old will enjoy getting to practice with the big club before returning to the minors. Koskenvuo’s entry level contract expires after 2026-27, as he’ll work to move up the organizational depth chart until then.
East Notes: Penguins, Laine, Flyers
As teams return to practice today, some without notable members still competing in the Olympics, several updates have emerged. In Pittsburgh, Kris Letang told the media, including Michelle Crechiolo, Penguins team reporter, that he is nearing 100% from his lower body injury. It’s expected that he’ll be ready for February 26 against the Devils, but not yet certain.
The 38-year-old had to miss the club’s last four games going into the Olympic break. Letang had a rough start to his 20th season with Pittsburgh, leading to questions on his outlook. Since then, the stalwart has still played heavy minutes, 22:06 a night, just behind Erik Karlsson. His 50.5% corsi at even strength is a slight improvement from last season, but still a step below the norm. Currently +3 with 25 points in 50 games, Letang has turned the corner from last season’s -15, 30 point output.
Symbolic of the team’s rebound as a whole, Letang’s Penguins are closing in on ending their three year postseason drought, as they have the opportunity to go on what could be one last dance as an unforgettable era winds down.
Also in Pittsburgh, Filip Hallander returned to practice, as reported by Crechiolo. The forward hasn’t played since November, missing 42 games from a blood clot in his leg. At 25 years old, the former second round pick is just getting off the ground in his NHL career, with all four of his career points coming this season. The timing of his ailment was especially unfortunate, costing him a chance to play in his native Sweden in the Global Series.
Elsewhere across the conference:
- Canadiens winger Patrik Laine missed today’s practice due to a lower body injury, per the team. He is still working his way back from core muscle surgery, not having played since October. Noted as a likely trade candidate last week, Laine’s days in Montreal seem to be nearing an end, although his $8.7MM price tag will be difficult to work through. The 27-year-old former 40 goal scorer will be an intriguing free agent this summer, but unfortunately his health is a major factor. Laine hasn’t dressed in more than 68 games in a campaign since 2018-19. His Habs return to action February 26 against the Islanders.
- Along with goaltender Carson Bjarnason, who was recalled earlier today, Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Hunter McDonald will join the team for practice this week, according to Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Bonk, a first round selection in 2023, made a case to make the team right out of the OHL but was injured in camp. Finally activated in early December, he has just six points in 22 games, indicative that seasoning is needed for the team’s top blueliner prospect, who has second pairing potential. On the other hand, McDonald, a former sixth round pick, has a more limited upside at the highest level but at 6’4” he brings serious physicality. Both defenseman are awaiting their NHL debut.
Trade Deadline Primer: Los Angeles Kings
With the Olympic break upon us, the trade deadline is under a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? After looking at teams at the ends of the standings, we shift our focus to teams fighting for a playoff spot. Next up are the Kings.
The Kings made a splash recently by acquiring Artemi Panarin from the Rangers for a minimal return. The trade surprised some in the hockey world and showed the Kings are serious about winning this season. Los Angeles has meandered through the first two-thirds of the season and hasn’t looked like a serious contender, but with Panarin in the mix, it’s clear they plan to add to their lineup and make a push. Whether they make that push remains to be seen, but management’s mindset is fairly clear as we approach the trade deadline.
Record
23-19-14, 5th in the Pacific (55.3% playoff probabilty)
Deadline Status
Buyer
Deadline Cap Space
$15.71MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used, per PuckPedia.
Upcoming Draft Picks
2026: LAK 1st, LAK 2nd, CBJ 2nd, DAL 3rd, LAK 4th, LAK 5th, LAK 6th, COL 6th, LAK 7th
2027: LAK 1st, LAK 2nd, LAK 4th, LAK 6th, COL 6th, LAK 7th
Trade Chips
The Kings have plenty of draft picks they could move in any deadline deal, but they aren’t exactly stocked with quality prospects and have a farm system that would rank in the bottom third of the league in terms of quality and quantity. The team already dealt their top prospect, Liam Greentree, for Panarin, but they do have other pieces if they want to make another splash.
Francesco Pinelli was a second-round selection in the 2021 draft (42nd overall) and has not had a smooth transition to the professional ranks, struggling early in the AHL. He had 15 goals and 14 assists in 70 AHL games last season, and likely needs to size up if he hopes to break through to the NHL. Pinelli is a smart player who identifies open space for himself and teammates to create offensive opportunities. On the defensive side of the game, his instincts aren’t as strong, and it is something he is working to round out in the AHL.
Another potential trade piece for the Kings is defenseman Henry Brzustewicz. The 2025 first-round pick (31st overall) plays a safe, simple game and relies on moving the puck to a teammate rather than creating offensive plays himself. His defensive game is steady and effective, as he is adept at forcing opponents to the perimeter, protecting the slot, and containing them. Brzustewicz does have some offensive capabilities, but he isn’t a play driver and likely won’t be running a team’s power play if/when he makes it to the NHL. Brzustewicz could be a good piece of a bigger package if the Kings are looking to make another splash before the trade deadline.
Finally, we come to goaltender Carter George, who might be the Kings’ best prospect after the Greentree trade. George has had a decorated international career, representing Canada at the last two World Junior Championships, and he has also been terrific during his tenure in the OHL with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Thunder Bay, ON, native isn’t overly big, but his puck-handling makes him a third defenseman, which can facilitate quick breakouts and transition play. In terms of his goaltending, he is technically sound and doesn’t appear to wilt under pressure. If the Kings wanted to move a prospect whose value is inflated at the moment, George is probably the piece.
Team Needs
A Top Six Center: Los Angeles desperately needs a center going forward. It’s gotten to the point this season that winger Alex Laferriere has slotted in at center in the top six, which is less than ideal. They have Anze Kopitar for the rest of the season until he retires, and Quinton Byfield is likely fine as the second-line center, although he’s had a rough stretch this year. Beyond that, Alex Turcotte has not reached the levels many expected, putting the Kings in a predicament this season and beyond. The Kings have cap space to acquire a center this year, but it’s hard to say how strong the internal pressure is to acquire a pivot before the deadline. Los Angeles could let this year play out and chase a Nick Schmaltz-type player in free agency, or they could look to the current available options, which would likely be Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, or Robert Thomas out of St. Louis. There is always Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers available as well, and given the ties to Panarin, there could be something to that one.
A Depth Forward: No disrespect to Taylor Ward or Jeff Malott, but if Los Angeles enters the playoffs with those two taking regular shifts on the fourth line, that would be a problem against a team like the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings have dealt with some injuries, and the Kevin Fiala injury is another obstacle to overcome, especially since the Kings don’t have a ton of reinforcements who can play at a high level long term. Malott has been a fine replacement this season, but Ward has just 16 NHL games of experience and is a late bloomer, much like Malott. The Kings could likely find a reasonably priced depth forward on the trade market to insulate themselves against future injuries, which will no doubt happen as the NHL plays a compressed schedule down the stretch. A player like Erik Haula might make sense coming out of Nashville, as the Predators aren’t a playoff team, and Haula has an expiring deal. His market could be limited due to his $3.15MM cap hit, which the Kings could easily absorb at this time with any retention from Nashville.
Photo by Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Flyers Recall Carson Bjarnason
The Flyers announced they’ve recalled goaltender Carson Bjarnason from AHL Lehigh Valley. He’ll complement Samuel Ersson in practice for the next few days until Team Czechia’s time at the Winter Olympics is over, allowing Daniel Vladař to return to Philadelphia.
Bjarnason, 20, is viewed by many as the Flyers’ goalie of the future alongside fellow 2023 draftee Yegor Zavragin. Zavragin is viewed by prospect evaluators as the higher-ceiling netminder, but most of his development in Russia will be inaccessible to stateside fans. Bjarnason, a more liquid asset, was tabbed as the No. 12 prospect in Philadelphia’s system last summer by Corey Pronman of The Athletic. Perhaps his performance this season has dampened expectations, though.
A first-year pro, Bjarnason has struggled to the tune of a .889 SV% and a 3.08 GAA in 22 games with Lehigh Valley. It’s worth noting that jumping from juniors straight to the AHL is a far rarer path for goalies than it is for skaters, though. Most netminders will get at least one year of full-time seasoning in the ECHL – even first-round picks like the Red Wings’ Sebastian Cossa, for a recent example – before making the jump to the AHL, so it’s wise to take Bjarnason’s numbers with a grain of salt.
That said, the 6’4″, 207-lb netminder has still managed a winning record in Lehigh Valley at 11-7-5. He won’t be getting any recalls resulting in game action anytime soon, but next year will be a pivotal one to see if he can take the next step up the ladder into being a viable AHL starter.
Avalanche Place Jacob MacDonald On Waivers
The Avalanche placed defenseman Jacob MacDonald on waivers today, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. He has been sidelined for the entire season due to hip surgery. If he clears tomorrow, he’ll head to AHL Colorado to get his shortened campaign underway.
MacDonald, 33 later this month, played in the NHL each season from 2020-24 and totaled 133 NHL appearances in that time. Including a previous two-game stint with the Panthers in 2018-19, he’s put up 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 135 career outings with Florida, Colorado, and San Jose. He’s largely had good possession numbers in sheltered minutes, averaging 12:38 of ice time per game while controlling 52.6% of shot attempts at even strength.
After the Avs traded him to the Sharks midway through the 2022-23 campaign, MacDonald returned for a second stint in Colorado in 2024 by signing a two-year, two-way deal in free agency. He’s yet to make an NHL appearance on that deal, spending all of last season in the minors. The Oregon native has spent some time up on the wing in his career, and that offensive ability was evidenced by a dominant campaign that saw him set the AHL single-season record for goals by a defenseman with 31. He added 24 assists for 55 points and a +24 rating in 63 games, making him a three-time AHL All-Star while also taking home the Eddie Shore Award for the league’s best defenseman for the first time.
The Avalanche already has strong minor-league defensive depth. Jack Ahcan has stepped in seamlessly for MacDonald as the Eagles’ top rearguard, posting 33 points and a +20 rating in 36 games. Three other defenders have a +10 rating or better on the year in what’s tracking to be the franchise’s best season since being promoted from the ECHL in 2018.
Given the strength of that group, it’s likely MacDonald won’t be relied upon as a recall option down the stretch. He’ll be able to focus on getting back into game shape and doing what he can to extend his career following a significant procedure.