The calendar has flipped to February, and the heat is turning up across the National Hockey League. With the 2026 Winter Olympic break just around the corner and the NHL Trade Deadline looming, general managers are working the phones while players are fighting for playoff positioning.
This morning, the hockey world is buzzing about a major trade request stalemate in New York, a devastating injury blow for the St. Louis Blues, and a historic performance from the Minnesota Wild’s blue line.
The Latest NHL News & Notes
Artemi Panarin Trade Saga Continues
The situation with the New York Rangers and superstar winger Artemi Panarin remains the biggest storyline in hockey. Reports from Sportsnet this morning indicate Panarin still prefers a trade to a team willing to sign him to an immediate extension. The Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks have emerged as front-runners due to their cap flexibility, but don’t count out the Los Angeles Kings. Panarin has full control with his no-movement clause, making this a high-stakes game of poker for Rangers management.
Blues Lose Robert Thomas
A significant blow for the St. Louis Blues: top center Robert Thomas has undergone a procedure on his leg and will be sidelined until after the Olympic break. This injury not only hurts the Blues’ playoff push but complicates potential trade deadline conversations. With Thomas out, St. Louis may be forced to pivot their strategy, potentially becoming sellers if they slide further in the standings.
Stadium Series Injury Woes
As we gear up for tonight’s Stadium Series clash between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bruins will be shorthanded. Both Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha have been ruled out for the outdoor spectacle. While neither injury is expected to impact their Olympic participation for Sweden and Czechia respectively, it leaves Boston thin down the middle for this marquee matchup.
NHL Scores & Game Recaps: Jan 31, 2026
It was a busy Saturday night on the ice. Here is a breakdown of the action from January 31, featuring a massive shutout in Detroit and a shootout thriller in Vancouver.
- Minnesota Wild (7) vs. Edmonton Oilers (3)
- The Scoop: The Wild offense exploded in Edmonton. Quinn Hughes was the architect, tallying a goal and an assist to set a new franchise record for the longest point streak by a defenseman (8 games). Minnesota’s transition game was simply too fast for the Oilers to handle.
- Colorado Avalanche (5) vs. Detroit Red Wings (0)
- The Scoop: A statement win for the Avs. Mackenzie Blackwood was perfect between the pipes, earning the shutout. Nathan MacKinnon continued his MVP-caliber season with two goals, silencing the crowd at Little Caesars Arena.
- Toronto Maple Leafs (3) vs. Vancouver Canucks (2) [SO]
- The Scoop: A goaltending duel in Vancouver ended in dramatic fashion. After a 2-2 tie through overtime, Auston Matthews and William Nylander both scored in the shootout to snap the Leafs’ losing skid. Joseph Woll made 28 key saves to secure the two points.
- Montreal Canadiens (4) vs. Buffalo Sabres (2)
- The Scoop: The Habs played spoiler in Buffalo, capitalizing on power-play opportunities to secure a solid road victory.
- Columbus Blue Jackets (5) vs. St. Louis Blues (3)
- The Scoop: Despite the injury news surrounding Robert Thomas, the Blues fought hard but couldn’t contain the Blue Jackets’ depth scoring in the third period.
- Dallas Stars (3) vs. Utah Mammoth (2)
- The Scoop: A tight checking game in Salt Lake City saw the Stars edge out the Mammoth, relying on their defensive structure to close out a one-goal lead.
- Seattle Kraken (3) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (2)
- The Scoop: A massive divisional win for Seattle. The Kraken held off a late Golden Knights surge to gain critical ground in the Pacific Division race.
Stay Ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline
As we approach the deadline, rumors are swirling that the Philadelphia Flyers could be preparing for a “shock” fire sale. Insiders suggest that if the Flyers decide to sell, big names like Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny could be in play. Konecny, in particular, would be a franchise-shifting acquisition for any contender.
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