NHL News January 22, 2026: Trade Rumors Swirl & Canucks End The Slump

0 Sara Smith January 22, 2026

The NHL trade deadline buzz is officially louder than the goal horn at Climate Pledge Arena. As we wake up on January 22, 2026, the hockey world is digesting a wild Wednesday night that saw streaks snapped, overtime heroics, and a massive rumor involving a former 4th overall pick. Whether you’re a fantasy GM looking for an edge or a die-hard fan refreshing your feed for trade alerts, today’s news cycle is packed.

Shane Wright on the Move?

The biggest story hitting the wire this morning involves the Seattle Kraken and their young center, Shane Wright. Reports indicate that Seattle is actively exploring trade options for the 22-year-old as they hunt for immediate top-six scoring help. Wright, who finally seemed to be finding his footing, could be the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal. It’s a stunning potential pivot for a franchise that drafted him to be their future face, but with the Kraken fighting for playoff positioning, no one is safe.

In other roster news, the Buffalo Sabres have locked down Josh Doan to a massive 7-year contract extension, cementing him as a core piece of their forward group. Meanwhile, Team USA has made a roster change for the upcoming 2026 Olympics: Seth Jones is out due to injury, and young Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe has been tapped to fill his skates on the blue line.

NHL Scores & Notes: January 21, 2026

Wednesday night featured a thrilling six-game slate. The headlines? The Canucks finally remembered how to win, and the Leafs suffered a heartbreaker in overtime.

Vancouver Canucks 4 – 3 Washington Capitals

The Streak is Over: The Canucks rallied to snap their brutal 11-game losing streak. Brock Boeser led the way with a goal and an assist, helping Vancouver erase an early deficit. Dylan Strome netted two for the Caps in the losing effort.

Detroit Red Wings 2 – 1 (OT) Toronto Maple Leafs

Larkin play Hero: Dylan Larkin buried the game-winner in overtime to silence the Scotiabank Arena crowd. Joseph Woll was spectacular for Toronto, making 39 saves, but the Leafs couldn’t generate enough offense to support him.

Utah Mammoth 5 – 4 (OT) Philadelphia Flyers

Captain Clutch: Clayton Keller put the team on his back, scoring both the game-tying goal late in the third and the overtime winner. Utah erased a 4-2 deficit to steal the win.

Anaheim Ducks 2 – 1 (SO) Colorado Avalanche

Dostal Stands Tall: Lukas Dostal was a brick wall, stopping 40 shots to frustrate the Avs. Cutter Gauthier played the hero in the shootout, securing Anaheim’s fifth straight victory.

Pittsburgh Penguins 4 – 1 Calgary Flames

Vintage Geno: Evgeni Malkin tallied two points, while Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux for 8th on the all-time road points list. The Pens dominated Calgary to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Seattle Kraken 4 – 1 New York Islanders

Dunn Deal: Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist as Seattle cruised past the Islanders. It was a crucial bounce-back game for the Kraken amidst the swirling trade rumors.

Stay Ahead of the Game: Latest NHL News & Trade Rumors

The season is heating up and the trade deadline is approaching fast. Don’t let a blockbuster trade catch you by surprise. Whether you need the latest NHL news, inside scoops on NHL trade rumors, or data-driven Fantasy Hockey Predictions, we have you covered. Make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks today so you never miss a beat.