It is Friday, January 16, 2026, and the NHL landscape is shifting rapidly as we approach the Olympic roster freeze on February 4. With General Managers scrambling to finalize their rosters before the international break, the trade chatter has turned into a roar. Last night’s slate of ten games delivered high drama, including a historic milestone for a Canadiens youngster and a goaltending duel in Edmonton.
Rasmus Andersson on the Move?
The biggest story breaking this morning revolves around Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. With the Flames looking to retool, insiders report that GM Craig Conroy is pushing to finalize a deal within the next 48 hours. While the Boston Bruins were initially linked to the blueliner, reports now suggest they are “out” after Andersson declined an extension.
This opens the door for the Detroit Red Wings and Vegas Golden Knights, both of whom are aggressively pursuing the 29-year-old to bolster their defensive cores for a playoff run. With the Olympic freeze less than three weeks away, expect this situation to resolve quickly.
Hutson Makes History
Despite a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson etched his name in the record books. Hutson recorded his 100th career assist in just his 132nd game, becoming the second-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach the milestone, trailing only Sergei Zubov. His offensive prowess continues to be a bright spot in Montreal.
NHL Scores & Notes: January 15, 2026
It was a busy night across the league. Here is a breakdown of all the action from yesterday:
Golden Knights 6, Maple Leafs 5 (OT)
The Note: A potential Stanley Cup preview lived up to the hype. Vegas stormed back to force overtime, securing the extra point in a chaotic, high-scoring affair at T-Mobile Arena.
Sabres 5, Canadiens 3
The Note: Lane Hutson’s historic night wasn’t enough for the Habs, as the Sabres’ balanced attack overwhelmed Montreal defensively.
Islanders 1, Oilers 0
The Note: A stunning goalie duel in Edmonton. The Islanders shut down the high-flying Oilers offense, escaping with a 1-0 victory.
Blue Jackets 4, Canucks 1
The Note: Columbus continues to surprise, handing Vancouver a tough loss on the road. The Canucks’ offense struggled to find any rhythm.
Jets 6, Wild 2
The Note: A dominant showing by Winnipeg against their Central Division rivals. The Jets’ offense exploded for six goals, exposing gaps in the Wild’s defense.
Flames 3, Blackhawks 1
The Note: Amidst the trade rumors surrounding him, Rasmus Andersson helped Calgary lock down a tight win over Chicago.
Penguins 6, Flyers 3
The Note: The Battle of Pennsylvania went to Pittsburgh in decisive fashion. The Pens’ veteran core showed they still have plenty of fight.
Bruins 4, Kraken 2
The Note: Boston bounced back with a solid home win, keeping pace in the Atlantic Division standings.
Sharks 3, Capitals 2
The Note: A tight contest saw San Jose edge out Washington, putting a dent in the Capitals’ playoff positioning.
Utah Mammoth 2, Stars 1
The Note: The Mammoth secured a massive victory over the Stars, proving they can grind out wins against the West’s best.
Stay tuned as we track the Rasmus Andersson situation throughout the weekend. With the Olympic break fast approaching, the trade market is only going to get hotter.
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