Latest news with #Dumoulin
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anaheim Ducks 2025 Trade Deadline Review
The Anaheim Ducks had a relatively quiet NHL trade deadline period, as was expected given their current roster construction and their position in the standings during the month leading up to the deadline. When the NHL resumed play following the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Ducks were nine points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference standings. The closest they got to that spot was six points. Heading into Friday's trade deadline, they were seven back with 21 games left to play after not capitalizing on significant opportunities against the lowly Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 25 and Mar. 1 as well as a Vancouver Canucks team they had been chasing on Mar. 5. The Ducks only had three pending unrestricted free agents on their roster heading into the deadline period: Brian Dumoulin, Robby Fabbri, and Brock McGinn. McGinn and Fabbri remain on IR, so the likelihood of trading them was slim to none. With not much to sell and no reason to buy, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek pulled the trigger on a somewhat expected Dumoulin deal and made a couple smaller acquisitions on the fringes. Out: Brian Dumoulin (50% contract retention) $1.575 million In: 2025 second-round pick (the better of Edmonton's or Winnipeg's), F Herman Träff (19), D Oliver Kylington, G Ville Husso Patrick Given the number of teams still firmly in playoff contention and that the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft is projected as one of the weaker ones, this market set up well for sellers. Verbeek said he held on as long as he could, but after losing to the Canucks on Wednesday, he made the decision to trade Dumoulin. Pat Verbeek Speaks Following Trade Deadline Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek addressed the media following Friday's trade deadline. Friday was quiet for the Ducks, who didn't get any deals done, but were active on Thursday when they shipped Brian Dumoulin to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and prospect Herman Traff (91st overall in 2024). They also brought in depth defenseman Oliver Kylington from the New York Islanders for future considerations. Dumoulin was acquired for a fourth-round pick on July 2, so getting 61 games out of him and flipping him for a second-rounder and a player drafted in the third round in 2024 is a quality return. Dumoulin plays a position that isn't one of the most sought after and the most substantial boost it gives the Ducks is the long-overdue relief of the defensive logjam. Kylington is a nice addition as a seventh defenseman who can seamlessly be inserted in the lineup should the need present itself. Husso was a San Diego Gulls-driven move, but has talent and NHL experience if he's needed in a pinch. Derek From speaking with several players, it's clear that Dumoulin had a significant impact on and off the ice, even in such a short time with the Ducks. The trade that sent him to the Devils was a mutually beneficial transaction, with Dumoulin getting to play closer to home again and his departure opening up the ability for head coach Greg Cronin to deploy all three of his young left-handed defensemen (Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger) on a regular basis. The return package for Dumoulin also surpassed what Verbeek initially gave up to acquire Dumoulin this past summer, making this deal a home run. Kylington, a mobile, puck-moving defenseman was added at zero cost to be the seventh defenseman. Similar to William Lagesson last season, the left-handed Kylington can play both his strong and off-side and seems like a better fit for Cronin's system than Lagesson was. Husso struggled during his nearly three-year tenure with the Detroit Red Wings, but has righted himself in the AHL. He was acquired to solidify the San Diego Gulls' goaltending depth after Calle Clang went down with an MCL injury, but he's been getting well-accustomed to heading up and down I-5 thanks to multiple recalls and reassignments. 'I took calls on John Gibson, so there's an active market for him,' Verbeek said on his recent episode of 'The Beeker' on the Ducks Stream Podcast Network. 'At the end of the day, we have probably (a) top-five goaltending tandem in the league. Unless it makes sense for me and for our organization to improve the team, it doesn't make sense for us to move John Gibson at this time.' Patrick For fans worried they'd perhaps seen the last of John Gibson and/or Trevor Zegras in a Ducks' sweater, fear not. And for opposing fanbases thinking they're 'buy-low' candidates and hoping to acquire each or either of their services at a bargain, it likely isn't in the cards. Verbeek didn't answer any questions on Zegras' future with the organization, but stated Gibson wouldn't be on the move unless it made sense for the organization. The Ducks are in a position where the need to trade either isn't prevalent, so if a team is interested, Verbeek seems to be sending a message that they would have to make a substantial offer. Derek Once it became clear that the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes—two teams heavily rumored to be interested in acquiring Gibson—were not going to pay the high price set by Verbeek, any chance of Gibson being anything but an Anaheim Duck past the 2025 trade deadline became zero. There isn't any incentive for Verbeek to move Gibson—who's signed for two more years after this season—for anything lower than the price he's set. Lukáš Dostál and Gibson have formed a dynamic duo in net that has been a large reason why the Ducks are even in the (fleeting) playoff conversation. For a player that so many talking heads and socialites claim is a 'TikTok merchant' and 'washed', so many fans sure are interested in their teams acquiring Zegras. The player has worked hard to improve his two-way game, an initiative given to him by both Verbeek and Cronin. While the point totals haven't been there lately, it's clear that his overall game has improved and that the team is better whenever he's in the lineup. 'There's a lot of talk,' Verbeek said when asked if he had any other moves he'd been working on. 'Nothing ever got to where I would consider serious and start negotiating. Really, nothing.' Patrick Signs have been pointing toward, and reiterated by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman specifically, Verbeek and the Ducks' desire to make a splash at some point soon. Mikko Rantanen was the big name on the move this deadline period, which seemed like a long shot at best for the Ducks. Elias Pettersson's future seems up in the air in Vancouver, but he remains with the team for the time being at least. Dylan Cozens, Josh Norris, and Brandon Carlo were also impact players with term beyond this season that moved and could have been seen as fits for Anaheim, but if talks were started, they didn't go anywhere. We'll just have to see if that awaited splash is in the cards at the draft or in free agency. Derek It would have made more sense for the Ducks to make a splash or add if they were right in the thick of the playoff hunt. They're on the fringes with this season being the first time in a good while that games in March have mattered to them for something more than a high draft pick. Verbeek is still seeking a top-6 forward, which could come as soon as this summer. (Mitch Marner, anyone?)
CBS News
08-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Anaheim Ducks send Brian Dumoulin to New Jersey Devils for 19-year-old Herman Traff, second-round draft pick
The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline late Thursday night by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers. Much of the action came in the East, where New Jersey added on defense with Brian Dumoulin in a deal with Anaheim, Florida got depth center Nico Sturm from San Jose, and the Rangers also bought by acquiring Carson Soucy from Vancouver. Colorado sent defenseman Oliver Kylington, prospect Calum Ritchie, a 2026 first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028 to the Islanders for Nelson and 23-year-old winger William Dufour. Nelson, a pending unrestricted free agent, was considered one of the top players available. The Islanders almost immediately traded Kylington to Anaheim for future considerations. The Devils' acquisition of Dumoulin, sending a second-round pick in this year's draft and the rights to unsigned 19-year-old prospect Herman Traff to the Ducks, comes after they learned leading scorer Jack Hughes is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery and with No. 1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton also out because of injury. With Hughes going on long-term injured reserve, they can add roughly $10 million worth of players before the deadline, even after getting Dumoulin because Anaheim is retaining half of Dumoulin's salary. The Rangers are also retaining half of what's left of Smith's salary and getting young forward Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick — previously belonging to last-place San Jose — back from Vegas. Hours later, they sent that pick to Vancouver for Carson Soucy, a left-shooting defensemen under contract through next season who effectively replaces Ryan Lindgren after he was sent to Colorado. Another player who fell out of favor with the Rangers, Smith has been traded to Pittsburgh, to New York and back to Vegas since helping the Golden Knights win the Cup in 2023 as an alternate captain and original member of the expansion franchise. The Panthers, who lost in that final before winning their first title last year, sent a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Sharks for a seventh in '27 and Sturm, a capable 29-year-old penalty killer who has seven goals and six assists and won 62.7% of his faceoffs in 47 games this season. That is the highest total of anyone who has taken part in at least 200 faceoffs, and San Jose rookie-of-the-year candidate Macklin Celebrini said the Panthers are getting "someone that will do all the little things." "(He) makes sure all the all the small stuff is taken care of, like penalty kill, you name it, just faceoffs, his defensive game — all that stuff," Celebrini said. "It's not stuff you get recognized for, but it's something that will definitely help them." In a pre-midnight move preceding the Avalanche adding Nelson, Minnesota got 6-foot-5 winger Justin Brazeau from Boston for younger forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, plus a 2026 sixth-round pick. In another late-night deal, Edmonton acquired defenseman Jake Walman from San Jose for the Oilers' conditional 2026 first-round pick and forward Carl Berglund. With top winger Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR like Hughes, Florida — which already traded for defenseman Seth Jones from Chicago and added backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek — still has space to potentially add another forward in the aim of becoming the third series of back-to-back champs over the past decade. Thursday also brought a depth goalie swap, getting Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets for Chris Driedger. The Devils are contenders again and looking to get back in after falling out of the race last season, and they hope Dumoulin, 33, brings some valuable experience with him from his 789 regular-season and playoff games. He won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and '17 and this season has 16 points while skating just under 20 minutes on average over 61 games with Anaheim. "Brian was good for us both on and off the ice, and we wish him well in New Jersey," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. "This wasn't an easy decision for us. We do feel this allows more opportunity for our young defensemen, who have proven they can play and succeed at the NHL level." New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald could still be looking to add a high-end forward — ideally a center — who could help fill the void left by Hughes' absence. Hughes is tied with Carolina's Mikko Rantanen in the league scoring race with 70 points on 27 goals and 43 assists. Rantanen's future remains the biggest mystery to watch before the 3 p.m. EST deadline Friday. Already traded once this year from Colorado to the Hurricanes in a three-team blockbuster in late January, the 2022 Cup-winning, point-a-game winger in his prime could be on the move again with no guarantee Carolina will be able to sign the pending free agent beyond this season. "If he got moved out of Carolina, it's not because of his play," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Thursday. "Just looking at Mikko's game, he's played well since he's been there — a little snakebit at first — now the production is starting to come. I think he's a fit on any team in the league, including Carolina. So, yeah, I think that's just the business side of hockey at this point." As teams sort out their business prior to the deadline, the waiver wire Thursday was also busy, with Nashville claiming winger Jakub Vrana off waivers from Washington and defenseman Jordan Oesterle from Boston. Columbus claimed forward Christian Fischer from Detroit, while Toronto put enforcer Ryan Reaves on waivers in an attempt to clear another $1 million in space.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson from the Islanders on the eve of the NHL trade deadline
The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline late Thursday night by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers. Much of the action came in the East, where New Jersey added on defense with Brian Dumoulin in a deal with Anaheim, Florida got depth center Nico Sturm from San Jose, and the Rangers also bought by acquiring Carson Soucy from Vancouver. Colorado sent defenseman Oliver Kylington, prospect Calum Ritchie, a 2026 first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028 to the Islanders for Nelson and 23-year-old winger William Dufour. Nelson, a pending unrestricted free agent, was considered one of the top players available. The Islanders almost immediately traded Kylington to Anaheim for future considerations. The Devils' acquisition of Dumoulin, sending a second-round pick in this year's draft and the rights to unsigned 19-year-old prospect Herman Traff to the Ducks, comes after they learned leading scorer Jack Hughes is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery and with No. 1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton also out because of injury. With Hughes going on long-term injured reserve, they can add roughly $10 million worth of players before the deadline, even after getting Dumoulin because Anaheim is retaining half of Dumoulin's salary. The Rangers are also retaining half of what's left of Smith's salary and getting young forward Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick - previously belonging to last-place San Jose - back from Vegas. Hours later, they sent that pick to Vancouver for Carson Soucy, a left-shooting defensemen under contract through next season who effectively replaces Ryan Lindgren after he was sent to Colorado. Another player who fell out of favor with the Rangers, Smith has been traded to Pittsburgh, to New York and back to Vegas since helping the Golden Knights win the Cup in 2023 as an alternate captain and original member of the expansion franchise. The Panthers, who lost in that final before winning their first title last year, sent a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Sharks for a seventh in '27 and Sturm, a capable 29-year-old penalty killer who has seven goals and six assists and won 62.7% of his faceoffs in 47 games this season. That is the highest total of anyone who has taken part in at least 200 faceoffs, and San Jose rookie-of-the-year candidate Macklin Celebrini said the Panthers are getting 'someone that will do all the little things.' '(He) makes sure all the all the small stuff is taken care of, like penalty kill, you name it, just faceoffs, his defensive game - all that stuff,' Celebrini said. "It's not stuff you get recognized for, but it's something that will definitely help them.' In a pre-midnight move preceding the Avalanche adding Nelson, Minnesota got 6-foot-5 winger Justin Brazeau from Boston for younger forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, plus a 2026 sixth-round pick. With top winger Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR like Hughes, Florida - which already traded for defenseman Seth Jones from Chicago and added backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek - still has space to potentially add another forward in the aim of becoming the third series of back-to-back champs over the past decade. Thursday also brought a depth goalie swap, getting Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets for Chris Driedger. The Devils are contenders again and looking to get back in after falling out of the race last season, and they hope Dumoulin, 33, brings some valuable experience with him from his 789 regular-season and playoff games. He won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and '17 and this season has 16 points while skating just under 20 minutes on average over 61 games with Anaheim. 'Brian was good for us both on and off the ice, and we wish him well in New Jersey,' Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. 'This wasn't an easy decision for us. We do feel this allows more opportunity for our young defensemen, who have proven they can play and succeed at the NHL level.' New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald could still be looking to add a high-end forward - ideally a center - who could help fill the void left by Hughes' absence. Hughes is tied with Carolina's Mikko Rantanen in the league scoring race with 70 points on 27 goals and 43 assists. Rantanen's future remains the biggest mystery to watch before the 3 p.m. EST deadline Friday. Already traded once this year from Colorado to the Hurricanes in a three-team blockbuster in late January, the 2022 Cup-winning, point-a-game winger in his prime could be on the move again with no guarantee Carolina will be able to sign the pending free agent beyond this season. 'If he got moved out of Carolina, it's not because of his play,' Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Thursday. "Just looking at Mikko's game, he's played well since he's been there - a little snakebit at first - now the production is starting to come. I think he's a fit on any team in the league, including Carolina. So, yeah, I think that's just the business side of hockey at this point.' As teams sort out their business prior to the deadline, the waiver wire Thursday was also busy, with Nashville claiming winger Jakub Vrana off waivers from Washington and defenseman Jordan Oesterle from Boston. Columbus claimed forward Christian Fischer from Detroit, while Toronto put enforcer Ryan Reaves on waivers in an attempt to clear another $1 million in space.
NBC Sports
07-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson from the Islanders on the eve of the NHL trade deadline
The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline late Thursday night by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers. Much of the action came in the East, where New Jersey added on defense with Brian Dumoulin in a deal with Anaheim, Florida got depth center Nico Sturm from San Jose, and the Rangers also bought by acquiring Carson Soucy from Vancouver. Colorado sent defenseman Oliver Kylington, prospect Calum Ritchie, a 2026 first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028 to the Islanders for Nelson and 23-year-old winger William Dufour. Nelson, a pending unrestricted free agent, was considered one of the top players available. The Islanders almost immediately traded Kylington to Anaheim for future considerations. The Devils' acquisition of Dumoulin, sending a second-round pick in this year's draft and the rights to unsigned 19-year-old prospect Herman Traff to the Ducks, comes after they learned leading scorer Jack Hughes is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery and with No. 1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton also out because of injury. With Hughes going on long-term injured reserve, they can add roughly $10 million worth of players before the deadline, even after getting Dumoulin because Anaheim is retaining half of Dumoulin's salary. The Rangers are also retaining half of what's left of Smith's salary and getting young forward Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick - previously belonging to last-place San Jose - back from Vegas. Hours later, they sent that pick to Vancouver for Carson Soucy, a left-shooting defensemen under contract through next season who effectively replaces Ryan Lindgren after he was sent to Colorado. Another player who fell out of favor with the Rangers, Smith has been traded to Pittsburgh, to New York and back to Vegas since helping the Golden Knights win the Cup in 2023 as an alternate captain and original member of the expansion franchise. The Panthers, who lost in that final before winning their first title last year, sent a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Sharks for a seventh in '27 and Sturm, a capable 29-year-old penalty killer who has seven goals and six assists and won 62.7% of his faceoffs in 47 games this season. That is the highest total of anyone who has taken part in at least 200 faceoffs, and San Jose rookie-of-the-year candidate Macklin Celebrini said the Panthers are getting 'someone that will do all the little things.' '(He) makes sure all the all the small stuff is taken care of, like penalty kill, you name it, just faceoffs, his defensive game - all that stuff,' Celebrini said. 'It's not stuff you get recognized for, but it's something that will definitely help them.' In a pre-midnight move preceding the Avalanche adding Nelson, Minnesota got 6-foot-5 winger Justin Brazeau from Boston for younger forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, plus a 2026 sixth-round pick. With top winger Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR like Hughes, Florida - which already traded for defenseman Seth Jones from Chicago and added backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek - still has space to potentially add another forward in the aim of becoming the third series of back-to-back champs over the past decade. Thursday also brought a depth goalie swap, getting Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets for Chris Driedger. The Devils are contenders again and looking to get back in after falling out of the race last season, and they hope Dumoulin, 33, brings some valuable experience with him from his 789 regular-season and playoff games. He won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and '17 and this season has 16 points while skating just under 20 minutes on average over 61 games with Anaheim. 'Brian was good for us both on and off the ice, and we wish him well in New Jersey,' Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. 'This wasn't an easy decision for us. We do feel this allows more opportunity for our young defensemen, who have proven they can play and succeed at the NHL level.' New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald could still be looking to add a high-end forward - ideally a center - who could help fill the void left by Hughes' absence. Hughes is tied with Carolina's Mikko Rantanen in the league scoring race with 70 points on 27 goals and 43 assists. Rantanen's future remains the biggest mystery to watch before the 3 p.m. EST deadline Friday. Already traded once this year from Colorado to the Hurricanes in a three-team blockbuster in late January, the 2022 Cup-winning, point-a-game winger in his prime could be on the move again with no guarantee Carolina will be able to sign the pending free agent beyond this season. 'If he got moved out of Carolina, it's not because of his play,' Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Thursday. 'Just looking at Mikko's game, he's played well since he's been there - a little snakebit at first - now the production is starting to come. I think he's a fit on any team in the league, including Carolina. So, yeah, I think that's just the business side of hockey at this point.' As teams sort out their business prior to the deadline, the waiver wire Thursday was also busy, with Nashville claiming winger Jakub Vrana off waivers from Washington and defenseman Jordan Oesterle from Boston. Columbus claimed forward Christian Fischer from Detroit, while Toronto put enforcer Ryan Reaves on waivers in an attempt to clear another $1 million in space.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson from the Islanders on the eve of the NHL trade deadline
The Colorado Avalanche made a big splash on the eve of the NHL trade deadline late Thursday night by getting center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. The move came hours after the Western Conference rival Vegas Golden Knights reacquired winger Reilly Smith in a deal with the New York Rangers. Much of the action came in the East, where New Jersey added on defense with Brian Dumoulin in a deal with Anaheim, Florida got depth center Nico Sturm from San Jose, and the Rangers also bought by acquiring Carson Soucy from Vancouver. Colorado sent defenseman Oliver Kylington, prospect Calum Ritchie, a 2026 first-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028 to the Islanders for Nelson and 23-year-old winger William Dufour. Nelson, a pending unrestricted free agent, was considered one of the top players available. The Islanders almost immediately traded Kylington to Anaheim for future considerations. The Devils' acquisition of Dumoulin, sending a second-round pick in this year's draft and the rights to unsigned 19-year-old prospect Herman Traff to the Ducks, comes after they learned leading scorer Jack Hughes is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery and with No. 1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton also out because of injury. With Hughes going on long-term injured reserve, they can add roughly $10 million worth of players before the deadline, even after getting Dumoulin because Anaheim is retaining half of Dumoulin's salary. The Rangers are also retaining half of what's left of Smith's salary and getting young forward Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick — previously belonging to last-place San Jose — back from Vegas. Hours later, they sent that pick to Vancouver for Carson Soucy, a left-shooting defensemen under contract through next season who effectively replaces Ryan Lindgren after he was sent to Colorado. Another player who fell out of favor with the Rangers, Smith has been traded to Pittsburgh, to New York and back to Vegas since helping the Golden Knights win the Cup in 2023 as an alternate captain and original member of the expansion franchise. The Panthers, who lost in that final before winning their first title last year, sent a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Sharks for a seventh in '27 and Sturm, a capable 29-year-old penalty killer who has seven goals and six assists and won 62.7% of his faceoffs in 47 games this season. That is the highest total of anyone who has taken part in at least 200 faceoffs, and San Jose rookie-of-the-year candidate Macklin Celebrini said the Panthers are getting 'someone that will do all the little things.' '(He) makes sure all the all the small stuff is taken care of, like penalty kill, you name it, just faceoffs, his defensive game — all that stuff,' Celebrini said. "It's not stuff you get recognized for, but it's something that will definitely help them.' In a pre-midnight move preceding the Avalanche adding Nelson, Minnesota got 6-foot-5 winger Justin Brazeau from Boston for younger forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, plus a 2026 sixth-round pick. With top winger Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR like Hughes, Florida — which already traded for defenseman Seth Jones from Chicago and added backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek — still has space to potentially add another forward in the aim of becoming the third series of back-to-back champs over the past decade. Thursday also brought a depth goalie swap, getting Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets for Chris Driedger. The Devils are contenders again and looking to get back in after falling out of the race last season, and they hope Dumoulin, 33, brings some valuable experience with him from his 789 regular-season and playoff games. He won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and '17 and this season has 16 points while skating just under 20 minutes on average over 61 games with Anaheim. 'Brian was good for us both on and off the ice, and we wish him well in New Jersey,' Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. 'This wasn't an easy decision for us. We do feel this allows more opportunity for our young defensemen, who have proven they can play and succeed at the NHL level.' New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald could still be looking to add a high-end forward — ideally a center — who could help fill the void left by Hughes' absence. Hughes is tied with Carolina's Mikko Rantanen in the league scoring race with 70 points on 27 goals and 43 assists. Rantanen's future remains the biggest mystery to watch before the 3 p.m. EST deadline Friday. Already traded once this year from Colorado to the Hurricanes in a three-team blockbuster in late January, the 2022 Cup-winning, point-a-game winger in his prime could be on the move again with no guarantee Carolina will be able to sign the pending free agent beyond this season. 'If he got moved out of Carolina, it's not because of his play,' Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Thursday. "Just looking at Mikko's game, he's played well since he's been there — a little snakebit at first — now the production is starting to come. I think he's a fit on any team in the league, including Carolina. So, yeah, I think that's just the business side of hockey at this point.' As teams sort out their business prior to the deadline, the waiver wire Thursday was also busy, with Nashville claiming winger Jakub Vrana off waivers from Washington and defenseman Jordan Oesterle from Boston. Columbus claimed forward Christian Fischer from Detroit, while Toronto put enforcer Ryan Reaves on waivers in an attempt to clear another $1 million in space. ___ AP Sports Writer Pat Graham in Denver contributed to this report. ___ AP NHL: Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
