Macklin Celebrini is an 18-year-old rookie, but he's already talking like a veteran.  The San Jos...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/15142" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/15142">Macklin Celebrini</a> is an 18-year-old rookie, but he's already talking like a veteran.The San Jose Sharks phenom focused on the team's struggles Monday when asked about his pursuit of the Calder Trophy and an upcoming matchup with fellow hopeful <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13822" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13822">Matvei Michkov</a> and the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday."I don't really know. It's cool for the outside people (who) look at it and compare (the award chase), but I just want to stop losing," Celebrini told reporters, including <a target="_blank" href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/i-want-to-stop-losing-sharks-macklin-celebrini-doesnt-care-for-individual-awards">The Hockey News' Max Miller</a>. "I just want to keep playing the way I'm playing. That doesn't really affect anything I do."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Sharks have lost seven straight games - the worst current skid in the NHL - and they came into Monday with the second-worst points percentage (.359) in the league along with an 11-22-6 record. They're 1-9-1 in their last 11 contests."You get a lot more energy when you start winning games," Celebrini said when asked what he's learned during the skid. "No one wants to lose. Everyone hates losing. You can have a lot more fun. You can enjoy it a lot more when you win."The first overall pick in June's draft is arguably the front-runner in the Calder race at the moment. He's tied with Michkov for the goals lead among rookies (12), and his 27 points trail the 20-year-old Flyer by two despite Celebrini having played eight fewer games after sitting out due to injury earlier in the season. Celebrini leads the class' forwards in average ice time (19:58), and the second-place Michkov is playing over three minutes less than his counterpart at just 16:38 per night. Celebrini came into Monday pacing all rookies in even-strength goals (eight) and points (19).The Sharks host the Flyers at 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks getting ready for a face off in the first period against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on December 28, 2024 in San Jose, California.

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Celebrini puts Sharks' woes above Calder talk: 'I just want to stop losing'

A preliminary-round matchup between Germany and Latvia provided a lot more drama than expected at...

A preliminary-round matchup between Germany and Latvia provided a lot more drama than expected at the 2025 World Junior Championship on Monday.Latvia's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15572" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15572">Eriks Mateiko</a> squashed Germany's knockout-stage hopes when he netted the overtime game-winner - even though his team had already qualified for the quarterfinals just by getting to the extra frame. The Germans needed to win in regulation to secure a berth in the knockout stage, while all Latvia needed was a point to do the same.Those circumstances made for a frenetic finish in regulation.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Germany went up 2-0 on a goal by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15537" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15537">Edwin Tropmann</a> in the second period. However, Latvia rallied to tie it as Mateiko notched his first goal of the game just over 30 seconds later and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15576" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15576">Bruno Osmanis</a> evened up the contest early in the third period.The Germans then took a major gamble: Knowing they needed to win in regulation, they pulled goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15527" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15527">Linus Vieillard</a> for the extra attacker to go for the win. However, Latvia took advantage of that - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15574" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15574">Olivers Murnieks</a> flipped the puck down the ice and into the empty net with under three minutes left.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Olivers Murnieks wins the faceoff in his own end and gets a shorthanded goal for Latvia to take the lead as Germany had pulled their goalie <a href="https://t.co/PZR0YnYTtU">pic.twitter.com/PZR0YnYTtU</a>— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1873869196670779706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Germany wasn't done yet, though. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15541" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15541">David Lewandowski</a> knotted things up again in short order.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
GERMANY TIES IT 20 SECONDS LATER! 3-3, 2:24 to go!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> <a href="https://t.co/ACv9LeUYHq">pic.twitter.com/ACv9LeUYHq</a>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1873869245769015710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>However, the Germans were unable to score again before the buzzer sounded to end the third period, ending their quarterfinal hopes and sending them off to the relegation round.Mateiko then punctuated what was already a celebratory occasion for Latvia with the overtime winner.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
LATVIA WINS IT IN OVERTIME 🇱🇻 Who else but Eriks Mateiko, the OT hero! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> <a href="https://t.co/UnukGxpWaz">pic.twitter.com/UnukGxpWaz</a>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1873872811921387910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Latvia pulled off a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3171864" href="https://thescore.com/news/3171864">shocking upset</a> earlier in the preliminary round, defeating Canada in a shootout Friday after overcoming a pair of third-period deficits.The Latvians reached the quarters for the third time ever, with all three berths coming in the last four tournaments. They made it in 2022 but lost 2-1 to Sweden, then got there in 2024 but fell 7-2 to the United States.Germany will play in the relegation round for the second straight tournament. The Germans ended up in that stage this past January but held on to defeat Norway 5-4 in overtime.Kazakhstan and Switzerland will face off Tuesday for the right to avoid playing Germany in the relegation round. The Kazakhs have one point and are 0-0-1-2, while the Swiss have no points in the standings at 0-0-0-3.

OTTAWA, CANADA - DECEMBER 30: Eriks Mateiko #9 of Team Latvia celebrates his overtime goal with teammate Peteris Bulans #16 against Team Germany of the Group A match during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at Canadian Tire Centre on December 30, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Team Latvia defeated Team Germany 4-3 in overtime.

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Latvia advances to quarters, Germany eliminated in wild finish

Canada responded to Friday's shootout loss to Latvia with a 3-0 victory over Germany on Sunday at...

Canada responded to Friday's shootout loss to Latvia with a 3-0 victory over Germany on Sunday at the World Junior Championship in Canada's capital.Ottawa-born defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15419" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15419">Oliver Bonk</a> opened the scoring with a power-play goal assisted by forwards <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15432" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15432">Easton Cowan</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15431" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15431">Berkly Catton</a> midway through the first period. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15425" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15425">Caden Price</a> - another blue-liner - scored an insurance tally from rearguard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15423" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15423">Sawyer Mynio</a> and forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15443" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15443">Calum Ritchie</a> with just under five minutes left in the third.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
CADEN PRICE GETS A LUCKY BOUNCE TO GO HIS WAY 🚨 Canada leads 2-0.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> <a href="https://t.co/FHGJb5xuqx">pic.twitter.com/FHGJb5xuqx</a>— TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1873564503712858321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Canada forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/14017" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/14017">Mathieu Cataford</a> added an empty-netter in the final seconds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Canadians didn't dominate play until the final frame. The hosts tied Germany 9-9 in shots through 20 minutes and outshot the opponents 10-9 in the second period before doing so by a 17-7 margin in the third.Canada goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15414" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15414">Carter George</a> stopped all 25 shots to pick up the win. He became the first Team Canada goaltender with shutouts in his first two world junior starts since <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1063" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1063">Jake Allen</a> in 2010, per <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/SNstats/status/1873566932093501718">Sportsnet</a>. George also earned an assist on Cataford's empty-netter.Germany netminder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15529" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15529">Nico Pertuch</a> turned aside all but two of 36 shots in a losing effort.Canada improved to 2-0-1-0 with the win, moving into a tie with the United States (and its identical record) for first place in Group A. Germany sits last in the group at 0-0-0-3. The Canadians opened their tourney with a 4-0 victory over Finland on Thursday before the upset loss to Latvia the next day.The U.S. rolled past Germany 10-4 in its tournament opener Thursday. The Americans defeated Latvia 5-1 on Saturday before falling to Finland in overtime Sunday.Canada and the U.S. will meet Tuesday night in a New Year's Eve clash to decide the group. It'll be the final game for all teams in the preliminary round.

OTTAWA, CANADA - DECEMBER 29: Oliver Bonk #5 of Team Canada celebrates his goal with teammates Sam Dickinson #3 and Calum Ritchie #21 in the first period against Team Germany of the Group A match during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at Canadian Tire Centre on December 29, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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Canada shuts out Germany after losing to Latvia

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour made history in a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devi...

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour made history in a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night, becoming the fastest bench boss in league history to notch 300 victories.He accomplished the feat in his 488th game as a coach. He has a 300-143-45 record over his career. The 54-year-old eclipsed Bruce Boudreau, who held the previous mark for nearly 11 years. Boudreau nabbed his 300th win in his 496th contest while coaching the Anaheim Ducks in February 2014. He hasn't been an NHL head coach since the 2022-23 campaign.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Brind'Amour is in his seventh season guiding the Hurricanes after spending 10 of his 21 campaigns with them as a player.The Canes have been one of the NHL's most competitive teams under Brind'Amour: He's led them to a pair of conference final appearances (2018-19 and 2022-23), and they've made the playoffs every year he's been at the helm. They missed the postseason for nine straight years before he took over.Carolina hired him as an assistant coach in June 2011 following his retirement from playing after the 2009-10 campaign. The club elevated him to head coach in May 2018.

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Rod Brind'Amour head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes during the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Brind'Amour becomes fastest coach to 300 wins in NHL history

The Nashville Predators dealt forward Juuso Parssinen and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Colora...

The Nashville Predators dealt forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10991" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10991">Juuso Parssinen</a> and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche for AHL center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/14161" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/14161">Ondrej Pavel</a> and a 2027 third-round selection, the clubs announced Saturday.Parssinen collected only two goals and three assists over 15 games while averaging 12:13 of ice time with the Predators this season.The Finnish pivot turns 24 on Feb. 1. He was in his third campaign with Nashville. The Predators didn't send him down to their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, in 2024-25 after doing so in each of the previous three seasons.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Nashville drafted Parssinen 210th overall in 2019. He notched eight goals and four assists across 44 NHL contests in 2023-24 after posting six tallies and 19 helpers over 45 games as a rookie in 2022-23.He's a pending restricted free agent with a league-minimum cap hit of $775,000, per <a target="_blank" href="https://puckpedia.com/player/juuso-parssinen">PuckPedia</a>.Pavel played two NHL games with the Avalanche in 2023-24. However, he's spent the rest of his pro career in the AHL with their affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Pavel produced two points - both assists - across 14 contests with the farm club this season.

NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Nashville Predators center Juuso Parssinen (13) warms up before a NHL game between the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on November 25, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Predators trade Parssinen to Avalanche

The Detroit Red Wings dismissed head coach Derek Lalonde and tabbed Todd McLellan to replace him,...

The Detroit Red Wings dismissed head coach Derek Lalonde and tabbed Todd McLellan to replace him, the club announced Thursday.Detroit signed McLellan to a multi-year contract and brought in Trent Yawney as an assistant coach while firing associate coach Bob Boughner.Lalonde was in his third season behind the Red Wings' bench. Detroit is 13-17-4 in 2024-25, which puts the club second-last in the Atlantic Division.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Red Wings went 89-86-23 under Lalonde, who got the job after they fired Jeff Blashill in June 2022. Lalonde served as an assistant on Jon Cooper's staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning for four seasons, including when they won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.McLellan is getting his fourth opportunity as an NHL head coach. He guided the Los Angeles Kings for parts of five seasons until they fired him in February. He coached the San Jose Sharks for seven campaigns and the Edmonton Oilers for three-plus seasons before joining the Kings. The 57-year-old's teams made nine playoff appearances in 16 years. Five of those resulted in first-round losses, and he only advanced past the second round twice (the Sharks' conference final runs in 2009-10 and 2010-11).McLellan was a Red Wings assistant coach from 2005 until taking the Sharks job in 2008. Current Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman was the team's captain in McLellan's first campaign in the Motor City.Detroit hasn't made the postseason since 2015-16. The Wings narrowly missed out in 2023-24, tying the Washington Capitals in points for the final spot in the Eastern Conference but losing on a tiebreaker.

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 06: Derek Lalonde of the Detroit Red Wings looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 6, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Red Wings fire Lalonde, hire McLellan

Sidney Crosby was in his typical self-deprecating mode after tying Mario Lemieux for the most car...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1002" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1002">Sidney Crosby</a> was in his typical self-deprecating mode after tying Mario Lemieux for the most career assists in Pittsburgh Penguins history Monday night. "It's nice, obviously. I didn't ever think I'd be close to that, and (I've) played a lot of games - he played a lot less than I did - so that's what happens when you play long enough," Crosby <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nhl.com/penguins/video/post-game-crosby-12-23-24-6366396957112">told reporters</a> after notching a goal and three helpers in a 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.His final assist of the night gave him 1,033 to match Lemieux. Crosby needed 1,308 games (the most in franchise history) to accomplish the feat, while Mario required only 915. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I dreamed of playing in the NHL, and I'm grateful for that for all these years, but I don't think about where I am on the list," Crosby said. "To be with Mario, though, is pretty cool. Like I said, I never would've expected that, so yeah, that's just a bonus."Crosby has shown no signs of decline at 37 years old in his 20th season. He leads all Penguins with 29 assists (seven more than his closest teammate) and 39 points (10 more), while his 10 goals rank third on the team. He's also averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time at 19:55, which leads all Pittsburgh forwards, and he's won 57.5% of his faceoffs in 2024-25.The Nova Scotia-born center has raised his game lately with 12 points (including 10 assists) in his last six contests. He has two four-point contests in his last three outings. Crosby collected a goal and three helpers in a 5-4 victory over the Nashville Predators on Dec. 19.Lemieux still tops Crosby in both goals and points by 88 for the Penguins' all-time lead. Mario was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 23: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck against Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost (48) during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers on December 23, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

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Crosby 'never would've expected' tying Mario for most Pens assists

The World Junior Championship is fast approaching, and the upcoming event certainly doesn't lack ...

The World Junior Championship is fast approaching, and the upcoming event certainly doesn't lack intriguing subplots.Here are a handful of narratives to follow at the tournament.<h3>Home cooking for Canada</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760281/cropped_GettyImages-1246030412.jpg?ts=1734016822" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760281/w220xh124_GettyImages-1246030412.jpg?ts=1734016822 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760281/w320xh180_GettyImages-1246030412.jpg?ts=1734016822 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760281/w640xh360_GettyImages-1246030412.jpg?ts=1734016822 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760281/w768xh432_GettyImages-1246030412.jpg?ts=1734016822 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760281/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1246030412.jpg?ts=1734016822 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Team Canada won back-to-back gold medals on home soil in 2022 and 2023, prevailing over Finland in Edmonton and defeating Czechia to claim the title in Halifax. That gave the Canadians three golds in four years, but the good times didn't roll into 2024.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Canada stumbled to a fifth-place finish in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Czechs exacted revenge for the 2023 gold-medal game (which went to overtime) by upending Canada 3-2 in the quarterfinals. Czechia blew a 2-0 lead in the second period, but Jakub Stancl scored with 11.7 seconds left in the third as the Canadians failed to reach the gold-medal game for the first time since 2019 and for only the third time in 10 years.The tournament now returns to Canada for the 2025 edition in Ottawa. So will playing in front of friendly crowds help the hosts get back on track?The last time Canada's capital held the event, in 2009, the home squad, led by John Tavares and Jordan Eberle, captured its fifth straight title. Eberle came to the rescue, scoring one the most memorable goals in tournament history to tie the semifinal against Russia with five seconds left. He and Tavares then tallied in the shootout to send Canada to the championship game, which it won easily over Sweden.<h3>What will the U.S. do for an encore?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762250/cropped_GettyImages-1903200313.jpg?ts=1735229721" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762250/w220xh124_GettyImages-1903200313.jpg?ts=1735229721 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762250/w320xh180_GettyImages-1903200313.jpg?ts=1735229721 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762250/w640xh360_GettyImages-1903200313.jpg?ts=1735229721 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762250/w768xh432_GettyImages-1903200313.jpg?ts=1735229721 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762250/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1903200313.jpg?ts=1735229721 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Unlike Team Canada, the United States didn't disappoint in the last tourney. The Americans won it all in Gothenburg, dispatching the host Swedes 6-2 in the gold-medal game. That U.S. squad was led by the event's goal-scoring co-leader Isaac Howard (seven goals in seven games), Gavin Brindley (six tallies), and Cutter Gauthier, who earned MVP honors by tying for the overall points lead with 12, including 10 assists.All three players have aged out of the under-20 event, but the defending champions still possess plenty of skill. Potential 2025 first overall pick James Hagens, 2023 eighth overall selection Ryan Leonard, and the 23rd pick that year, Gabe Perreault, give the Americans a formidable Boston College trio. All three of them rank among the NCAA leaders in points this season.Hagens was one of the final cuts from the 2024 U.S. team, but the 18-year-old forward figures to make his mark this year alongside his two college teammates, who played in the previous tournament.The U.S. has never won back-to-back titles at the world juniors, nor has it ever played in consecutive gold-medal games. But with nearly half of the 2024 roster returning, the Americans are primed to change those surprising facts.<h3>Gavin McKenna's potential impact</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760288/cropped_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1734022010" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760288/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1734022010 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760288/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1734022010 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760288/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1734022010 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760288/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1734022010 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760288/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1734022010 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leila Devlin / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Gavin McKenna will play for Canada as a 17-year-old, having celebrated his birthday Friday. He's the youngest player on this national junior team, but no one's questioning his inclusion on the roster or whether he's capable of helping Canada get back to winning. The Yukon-born forward dominated at the World Under-18 Championship this past spring and excelled at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer, helping his country win gold in both events.The top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft is in the midst of a stellar campaign with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, leading the league in assists and points and doing that as a 16-year-old, no less. McKenna isn't physically imposing at 6 feet and 165 pounds, but he makes up for it with game-breaking skill. He could very well be the difference between Canada falling short for a second straight year and celebrating yet another title.<h3>Experienced Swedes eyeing revenge</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760477/cropped_GettyImages-1903201051.jpg?ts=1734111739" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760477/w220xh124_GettyImages-1903201051.jpg?ts=1734111739 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760477/w320xh180_GettyImages-1903201051.jpg?ts=1734111739 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760477/w640xh360_GettyImages-1903201051.jpg?ts=1734111739 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760477/w768xh432_GettyImages-1903201051.jpg?ts=1734111739 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760477/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1903201051.jpg?ts=1734111739 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> ADAM IHSE/TT / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Sweden enters the tournament having suffered the aforementioned blowout loss to the U.S. in the last gold-medal game - and on home ice, to boot. But the Tre Kronor have 19 drafted players on the roster this time around.Otto Stenberg returns up front after notching five goals and four assists in the last tourney, while fellow 2023 first-round picks Axel Sandin-Pellika and Tom Willander anchor the defense corps. All three Swedish goaltenders (Marcus Gidlof, Melvin Strahl, and Melker Thelin) are draftees as well.Sweden lacks a true game-breaker like it had with last year's tournament MVP, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, but this team boasts plenty of depth up and down the lineup. The Swedes haven't won world junior gold since 2012, and they may not be able to match the talent Canada and the U.S. possess. But a seasoned group hungry to avenge the humiliation of 2024 could do some serious damage.<h3>Will Canada regret making notable snubs?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760285/cropped_GettyImages-2163964513.jpg?ts=1734019663" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760285/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163964513.jpg?ts=1734019663 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760285/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163964513.jpg?ts=1734019663 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760285/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163964513.jpg?ts=1734019663 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760285/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163964513.jpg?ts=1734019663 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760285/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163964513.jpg?ts=1734019663 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dennis Pajot / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Team Canada raised some eyebrows by leaving <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3147357" href="https://thescore.com/news/3147357">several notable players off</a> its selection camp roster in early December. Forward Beckett Sennecke (the third overall pick in June), as well as defensemen Zayne Parekh (taken six picks later) and Carter Yakemchuk (seventh overall) were all absent from the initial squad.Sennecke and Parekh eventually got invited as injury replacements, but neither phenom <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3158878" href="https://thescore.com/news/3158878">cracked the final roster</a> on Dec. 13. Hours after Canada released its 25-man team, Yakemchuk became the Calgary Hitmen's all-time goal-scoring leader among blue-liners (64). He set a franchise record for tallies in a season by a defenseman with 30 in 2023-24.Yakemchuk's exclusion also means Ottawa Senators fans won't get to watch the club's top prospect play in his future home arena in his final year of world junior eligibility.Sennecke and Parekh will still be available for the 2026 event, but Canada's management group for this tourney may regret shunning all three players if the hosts fail to claim gold.

EDMONTON, CANADA AUGUST 10: Gavin McKenna #9 of Team Canada in action against Team Czechia during the Gold Medal Game of the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup at Rogers Place on August 10, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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5 compelling storylines at the 2025 World Junior Championship

For the first time in more than two decades, a player under the age of 16 will take part in the W...

For the first time in more than two decades, a player under the age of 16 will take part in the World Junior Championship.Jonah Neuenschwander made Switzerland's <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/SwissIceHockey/status/1871586242309005683">final roster</a> Tuesday. The 15-year-old forward will be the first player of his age to play in the under-20 event since Andrei Kostitsyn and Konstanin Zakharov played up front for Belarus and Viktor Alexandrov did the same for Kazakhstan in 2001.The only other 15-year-old in world junior history was Belarus goaltender Vitali Aristov in 1999.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Neuenschwander is listed at 6-foot-3 and 181 lbs. He's played primarily for Swiss National League club Biel-Bienne's under-20 team this season, producing 11 goals and 13 assists over 26 games. He's also played five games with the senior squad, posting a lone assist in those contests.The youngster buried 20 tallies along with 12 helpers across 40 games with Biel-Bienne's under-17 side in 2023-24.Neuenschwander won't be eligible for the NHL draft until 2027.

HALIFAX, CANADA - DECEMBER 30: A detailed view of the IIHF logo on a jersey during the second period between Team Germany and Team Austria in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on December 30, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Team Germany defeated Team Austria 4-2.

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Neuenschwander becomes 1st 15-year-old at WJHC in 24 years

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed goaltender Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. ...

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9766" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9766">Anthony Stolarz</a> on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 12, the club announced Sunday.The minimum stay on regular IR is seven days, meaning he'll miss Wednesday's game against the Dallas Stars before he's eligible to return for Friday's road contest against the Buffalo Sabres.Stolarz was already ruled out for Sunday's home date with the Sabres, and he also missed Saturday's loss to the Detroit Red Wings.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The netminder got hurt during a win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Toronto head coach Craig Berube <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3158606" href="https://thescore.com/news/3158606">called him</a> day-to-day Friday and said it was "good news overall."Stolarz has been phenomenal in his first campaign with the Maple Leafs: He came into Sunday leading the NHL in save percentage (.927) among those who've played more than four games. He also ranks third in the league in goals saved above expected (14.59) and second in goals saved above average (13.17), per <a target="_blank" href="https://evolving-hockey.com/">Evolving-Hockey</a>.The veteran puck-stopper, who'll turn 31 in January, is 9-5-2 with one shutout over 17 games this season.Stolarz was one of the best backups in the league in 2023-24. He signed a two-year deal at $2.5 million annually with the Leafs in July after helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup in June.

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 12: Anthony Stolarz #41 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Anaheim Ducks at the Scotiabank Arena on December 12, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Stolarz to miss at least 1 more game on IR

The New York Islanders re-inserted Mathew Barzal into the lineup for Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Chi...

The New York Islanders re-inserted <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4720" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4720">Mathew Barzal</a> into the lineup for Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.He played with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2905" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2905">Anders Lee</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2093" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2093">Jean-Gabriel Pageau</a> in his return, recording two shots and two hits in 20:45 minutes of ice time. Barzal missed 21 games with what his club called an upper-body injury. He last played in a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 30.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The skilled forward had a four-to-six-week timetable, so he's returning slightly behind schedule, as Wednesday would be the seven-week mark.The Islanders activated him off long-term injured reserve earlier Sunday.New York went 9-7-5 in Barzal's absence. Defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3847" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3847">Adam Pelech</a> also returned Sunday after missing 20 contests. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3009" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3009">Bo Horvat</a> wasn't in the lineup against the Blackhawks due to a lower-body ailment.Barzal came into the matchup against the Blackhawks with two goals and three assists in 10 games this season. He was averaging 21:12 of ice time, which would be a career high by more than a minute over a full campaign after he set a new personal benchmark of 20:08 in 2023-24.The 27-year-old led the Islanders with 80 points, including a career-best 23 goals, across 80 games last season. He's in his ninth campaign with the Isles, who drafted him 16th overall in 2015.

ELMONT, NY - OCTOBER 26: New York Islanders Center Mathew Barzal (13) skates with the puck during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders on October 26, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.

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Barzal back in Islanders' lineup after missing 21 games

Ottawa Senators emergency backup goaltender Zach Dietz had to scramble to get to Canadian Tire Ce...

Ottawa Senators emergency backup goaltender Zach Dietz had to scramble to get to Canadian Tire Centre in time for puck drop Saturday night, and his hilariously frantic adventure was caught on camera.Dietz was seen running toward the arena carrying his gear bag on the side of the road.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Talk about commitment. Sens emergency backup goalie hustling to the rink!<a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TSN_Sports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TSNHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TSNHockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FriedgeHNIC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/kbieksa3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kbieksa3</a> <a href="https://t.co/VhtCfrsBtO">pic.twitter.com/VhtCfrsBtO</a>— Ryan (@muggers_hockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/muggers_hockey/status/1868085467415282100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Dietz made it on time while still sporting the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9904" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9904">Josh Norris</a> jersey he planned to wear to the game as a fan.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Zach Dietz is the emergency backup for the Ottawa Senators tonight. He currently plays for the University of Ottawa in USports. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/iRHVsQLMDl">pic.twitter.com/iRHVsQLMDl</a>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1868103264949997861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Senators netminder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2978" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2978">Anton Forsberg</a> sustained an injury during the warmup. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3922" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3922">Linus Ullmark</a> started in his place and made 25 saves in a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.The 22-year-old Dietz has a .930 save percentage in three games with the University of Ottawa this season.

OTTAWA, ON - NOVEMBER 01: Outside the rink prior to a game between the Hurricanes and Senators on November 1, 2016, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON.

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Watch: Senators EBUG huffs it on foot to make it to arena

Paul Maurice was more concerned about his Florida Panthers' defensive woes than their offensive s...

Paul Maurice was more concerned about his Florida Panthers' defensive woes than their offensive struggles after they were shut out for a second straight game Saturday night."Our rush defense is AWOL," Florida's head coach <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QR-dOAIeVg">told reporters</a> following a 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames. "We do that against Edmonton, they're going to put 15 on us, so got to get that sorted out first."The Panthers have mustered just one goal in their last three games - all road contests - and they've been outscored 8-1 in that span.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I don't care about the offense ... everybody goes through stretches," Maurice said. "Our rush defense sucks. I've got to get that fixed. Other than that, I'm not worried about anything else we've got going."The bench boss also took some responsibility for his club's recent struggles."It's the coach (who) hasn't found the right words to get them to pursue a different style of game," he said. "I'll find some."The Panthers are 1-2-0 on the road trip, which concludes with matchups against the Oilers on Monday and the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Florida defeated the Seattle Kraken 2-1 in a shootout this past Tuesday to start the trip but then the Vancouver Canucks beat the Cats 4-0 two nights later, followed by Saturday's loss in Calgary.Maurice's Panthers beat the Oilers in seven games to win the Stanley Cup in June. Monday's rematch will be Florida's first time back in Edmonton since Game 6 of the Cup Final, and the Oilers come into the tilt riding a five-game win streak.The Panthers entered Sunday sitting second in the Atlantic Division at 18-11-2. The Oilers occupied third place in the Pacific at 18-10-2.

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 7: Head coach Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers looks on during second period action against the San Jose Sharks at the Amerant Bank Arena on December 7, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Maurice: Oilers will 'put 15 on us' if our defense keeps this up

The surprisingly elite Minnesota Wild got two key players back from injuries Saturday against the...

The surprisingly elite Minnesota Wild got two key players back from injuries Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.Forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1658" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1658">Mats Zuccarello</a> returned to the lineup after missing 13 games, and defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2600" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2600">Jonas Brodin</a> rejoined the team after sitting out eight.The Wild activated Zuccarello off long-term injured reserve, while Brodin came off regular IR. Zuccarello last played in a Nov. 14 win over the Montreal Canadiens, while Brodin suited up for the first time since a Nov. 25 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Zuccarello came into Saturday with six goals and eight assists over 16 contests this season. Brodin entered the day with two tallies and six helpers across 19 games in 2024-25. The Swedish blue-liner ranked third on the Wild and second among Minnesota defensemen in average ice time at 22:08.Brodin got back on the top pairing alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9275" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9275">Brock Faber</a> on Saturday. Zuccarello's return is significant for the Wild, but Brodin's is even more important because they <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3158654" href="https://thescore.com/news/3158654">moved</a> rearguard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4096" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4096">Jake Middleton</a> to LTIR on Friday.Minnesota came into Saturday boasting the NHL's second-best points percentage at .724.

SAINT PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 19: Mats Zuccarello #36 celebrates his goal with his Minnesota Wild teammate Jonas Brodin #25 against the Winnipeg Jets during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on October 19, 2021 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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Wild get Zuccarello, Brodin back after injury absences

The Anaheim Ducks dealt defenseman Cam Fowler and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the St. Louis Blues...

The Anaheim Ducks dealt defenseman <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1706">Cam Fowler</a> and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the St. Louis Blues for a 2027 second-round selection and defenseman <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13055">Jeremie Biakabutuka</a>, the clubs announced Saturday.The Ducks are retaining about 38.46% of Fowler's $6.5-million cap hit. That brings it down to exactly $2.5 million for Anaheim and the remaining $4 million for St. Louis. Fowler is under contract through 2025-26. The 33-year-old is in the seventh season of an eight-year deal. It contains a particularly strict no-trade clause, allowing him to submit a list of only four teams to which he'd permit a deal, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1867992858911019220">Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He's spent his entire career with the Ducks, who drafted him 12th overall in 2010. Fowler ranks second in franchise history with 991 games played while sitting fifth on Anaheim's all-time assists (361) and points (457) lists."This was a difficult trade to make considering what Cam has meant to this organization," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. "He has been a valuable and respected member of our team for 15 seasons, representing the Ducks with ultimate class. His character and contributions on and off the ice have and will continue to leave a positive impact on our fans and community."Verbeek added that he met with Fowler on several occasions over the last few months, and they agreed it was in everyone's best interest for him to move on.Fowler is an offense-first defenseman, but he's collected only four points - all assists - while averaging 21:04 of ice time over 17 games this season. That workload would be the second-lowest of his career and his lowest since 2012-13. He's notched at least 30 points eight times and hit at least 40 on three occasions, including a career high of 48 in 2022-23.However, Fowler's play has been lackluster at both ends this season. He has minus-5.8 offensive goals above replacement and minus-3.7 defensive GAR in 2024-25, per <a target="_blank" href="https://evolving-hockey.com/">Evolving-Hockey</a>. His minus-9 GAR as a whole ranked ninth worst in the NHL entering Saturday's slate.The Blues now have six blue-liners of 31 years of age or older with Fowler, Justin Faulk (32), Torey Krug (33), Colton Parayko (31), Nick Leddy (33), and Ryan Suter (39). Krug will miss the entire season, and Leddy has been out since mid-October, both due to injuries.Biakabutuka is a 22-year-old defenseman who has yet to make his NHL debut. He's posted a goal and three assists in 13 games with the ECHL's Florida Everblades this season and has also played one contest with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds in 2024-25. He's the nephew of former NFL running back Tim Biakabutuka.

OTTAWA, CANADA - DECEMBER 11: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 11, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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Ducks trade Fowler to Blues

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz traveled with the team but won't face the Detroit ...

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9766" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9766">Anthony Stolarz</a> traveled with the team but won't face the Detroit Red Wings on the road Saturday or the Buffalo Sabres at home on Sunday, Leafs head coach Craig Berube said, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/anthony-stolarz-ruled-out-for-weekend-games-against-red-wings-and-sabres-with-lower-body-injury">The Hockey News' David Alter</a>.Berube said Friday that Stolarz is day-to-day with the injury he sustained during a win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, per <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/jonassiegel/status/1867632354426019848">The Athletic's Jonas Siegel</a>.Berube added that "it was good news overall" for Stolarz, who departed after the first period and didn't return to the 3-2 victory with what the club called a lower-body ailment. It's not evident how Stolarz got hurt.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The veteran netminder, who'll turn 31 in January, has been outstanding in his first season with Toronto. He came into Friday leading the NHL in save percentage (.927) among those who've played more than four games in 2024-25. He ranked third in goals saved above expected (14.59) and second in goals saved above average (13.32), per <a target="_blank" href="https://evolving-hockey.com/">Evolving-Hockey</a>.Stolarz is 9-5-2 with one shutout in 17 games this season.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8266" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8266">Joseph Woll</a> stopped 19 of 20 shots in relief Thursday night. The 26-year-old is 8-3-0 with a .921 save percentage and one shutout of his own over 11 appearances in 2024-25.The Maple Leafs recalled goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13814" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13814">Dennis Hildeby</a> from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, on an emergency basis Friday.Toronto is getting one player back from injury, as forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13037" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13037">Bobby McMann</a> will <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/dalter/status/1867979808497680557">play</a> against the Red Wings on Saturday after missing seven games.

TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 16 - Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) makes a save in the second period as the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Edmonton Oilers at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. November 16, 2024.

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Stolarz won't play this weekend due to injury

The Minnesota Wild took a big blow on defense Friday, placing Jake Middleton on long-term injured...

The Minnesota Wild took a big blow on defense Friday, placing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4096" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4096">Jake Middleton</a> on long-term injured reserve and claiming <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4717" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4717">Travis Dermott</a> off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers shortly thereafter.Wild head coach John Hynes described Middleton as week-to-week, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RussoHockey/status/1867641092134645787">The Athletic's Michael Russo</a>. Players on LTIR must miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days. Minnesota has that number of contests from now through the team's highly anticipated Jan. 2 matchup with the Washington Capitals, and the 24-day requirement means he'll also need to miss a game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 4 before he's eligible to return Jan. 7 against the St. Louis Blues.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Middleton left Thursday's 7-1 loss to the Oilers in the first period after blocking a shot on his first shift of the game. He played only 37 seconds and didn't return.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
The play where Middleton was injured blocking a shot <a href="https://t.co/pGfdyobMCM">pic.twitter.com/pGfdyobMCM</a>— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1867633621802344640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Middleton was playing alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9275" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9275">Brock Faber</a> on the left side of the Wild's top pairing this season while averaging 20:36 of ice time, which would be a career high over a full campaign. He's collected 13 points, including five goals, across 29 games in 2024-25.The veteran blue-liner, who'll turn 29 on the day of that matchup with the league-leading Capitals, is in his third full season and fourth in total with the Wild. They acquired him in a March 2022 trade with the San Jose Sharks.Dermott went pointless in 10 games while averaging a career-low 13:05 with the Oilers before they placed him on waivers Thursday. The left-shot rearguard is in his eighth NHL campaign, having previously played for the Arizona Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Minnesota came into Friday with the second-best points percentage (.724) in the league.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 10: Minnesota Wild Defenseman Jake Middleton (5) as seen during an NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and teams Utah Hockey Club on December 10, 2024 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT.

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Wild place Middleton on LTIR, claim Dermott

The Vancouver Canucks are trying to find a better situation for defenseman Vincent Desharnais, re...

The Vancouver Canucks are trying to find a better situation for defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10907" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10907">Vincent Desharnais</a>, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/32-thoughts-soft-talks-underway-between-nhl-nhlpa-for-next-cba/">Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman</a>.Desharnais has struggled in his first season with the Canucks, collecting only two points - both assists - while averaging 15:08 of ice time over 17 games. Vancouver has controlled 51.56% of the expected goals with him on the ice at five-on-five but only 46.79% of the scoring chances in the same situations, per <a target="_blank" href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/">Natural Stat Trick</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Desharnais has been a healthy scratch on several occasions in 2024-25. The Canucks signed the 6-foot-7, 226-pounder to a two-year contract at $2 million annually on July 1.The 28-year-old played his first two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, amassing 122 blocked shots and 135 hits while posting a goal and 10 assists over 78 games in 2023-24.Edmonton drafted Desharnais 183rd overall in 2016.

VANCOUVER, CANADA - DECEMBER 8: Vincent Desharnais #73 of the Vancouver Canucks skates up ice during their NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on December 8, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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Report: Canucks looking to move Desharnais

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens is garnering interest from other NHL clubs.  Cozens is "legit...

Buffalo Sabres forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10037" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10037">Dylan Cozens</a> is garnering interest from other NHL clubs.Cozens is "legitimately wanted" by opposing squads, who've called the Sabres inquiring about him, reports <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/32-thoughts-soft-talks-underway-between-nhl-nhlpa-for-next-cba/">Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman</a>.The forward, who turns 24 in February, has collected only six goals and seven assists while averaging 17:53 of ice time across 29 games this season. However, he posted 31 tallies and 37 helpers over 81 contests in 2022-23.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Cozens signed a seven-year, $49.7-million contract extension with the Sabres during that breakout campaign in February 2023. He followed it up with 18 goals and 29 assists across 79 games in 2023-24.Buffalo drafted Cozens seventh overall in 2019. He starred with the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes and for Canada in two World Junior Championships. Cozens racked up 10 goals and 15 assists in 14 contests over the two tourneys in 2020 and 2021, helping his country win gold in the former and silver in the latter. Cozens has also thrived at the World Championship, producing 16 tallies and eight helpers over 20 games across two tournaments in 2022 and 2024.The Sabres came into Friday tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the sixth-worst points percentage in the NHL at .448. Their minus-8 goal differential ranked 20th in the league.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 7: Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) looks on before a face-off against the Utah Hockey Club during the first period of an NHL game on December 7, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

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Report: Sabres getting calls on Cozens

Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi is considered day-to-day with the injury he sustained i...

Nashville Predators defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1663" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1663">Roman Josi</a> is considered day-to-day with the injury he sustained in a loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night, the Predators announced two days later.He won't play Thursday in a road matchup with the Dallas Stars.The origin of Josi's ailment - which the club referred to as a lower-body issue - is unclear, but he didn't play in the second period and was then ruled out for the third frame Tuesday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Nashville has struggled mightily this season after coming in with high expectations, but Josi has played at his typically elite level. The Swiss blue-liner came into Thursday leading all Predators skaters in assists (16) and points (23). He entered Tuesday's tilt sitting third in the NHL in average ice time (25:40), but the 5:32 he logged due to the injury dropped him down to seventh in the league at 24:59.Josi was the runner-up for the Norris Trophy last season after racking up 85 points, including 23 goals, while playing all 82 games. It was the second time in three years he earned the second-most voting points for the award, which he won in 2019-20.The 34-year-old is the Predators' all-time leader in assists (521) and points (709). He ranks third in team history in goals (188) and second in games played (938).Nashville is already without defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4569" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4569">Alexandre Carrier</a>, who's week-to-week and who the club placed on injured reserve Thursday. The Predators recalled rearguard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4089" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4089">Kevin Gravel</a> from their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, in a corresponding move.

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 07: Nashville Predators Defenceman Roman Josi (59) before a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators on December 7, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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Josi labeled day-to-day due to injury

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