Monday LNN: Matthew Tkachuk's Injury, Draft in LA, Lankinen Re-Signed, and more!
Links, news, and notes about Matthew Tkachuk's potential serious injury, the draft being in LA, Kevin Lankinen re-signing in Vancouver, and more!
- This is nowhere near confirmed, but Renaud Lavoie reported that there are concerns about Matthew Tkachuk's season being over after the injury he suffered at the 4 Nations Face-off. Knowing that family, I'll believe it when I see it.
- The 2025 NHL Draft will be the first "decentralized" one since the league made the decision to change last year, although there will still be a location where some top prospects, media members, and fans will gather, and that is in Los Angeles this year. The two day event will be June 27th and 28th. I’d like to think I speak for most when I say I'll miss the old way, because seeing all the teams in one place and making it a big spectacle was a uniquely fun experience.
- Thatcher Demko was placed on IR by the Vancouver Canucks, and he is week-to-week, retroactive to February 8th. It's an interesting time for the Canucks because Demko only has one year left on his deal after this one and they re-signed Kevin Lankinen to a big 5-year deal with a $4.5M cap hit. Could we see Demko get shipped out in the off-season? After years of pining after every available goalie, I think the Sens are actually pretty well set up now.
- Alexander Ovechkin recorded a hat-trick on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers, which puts him just thirteen goals behind the all-time goals lead. With 25 games remaining, the record is somehow within striking distance this year despite Ovechkin missing 16 games this season. If he continues on this pace (29 goals in 41 games), he'll finish with 18 goals the rest of the way, which gives him a great chance.
- If you're still wanting to re-live the high of Team Canada's win over the USA on Thursday, Dan Robson of The Athletic has a piece about how Canada stayed atop the hockey world.
- Speaking of Team Canada, Chris Johnston of The Athletic has a piece on Connor McDavid and his role in the team.
- Following the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, the LA Kings held a "Skate for LA Strong" charity game on Sunday. There are some highlights in there, with the game speed looking like you'd expect. Danny DeVito's coaching appearance has to be my favourite part of all of this, although Justin Bieber "fighting" Jeremy Roenick was an odd sight.
- Utah defenseman Juuso Valimaki was placed on waivers on Sunday. He did quite well for Arizona the last two seasons and was re-signed to a two-year deal with a $2M AAV, but has struggled this season and it's unlikely he gets claimed due to his cap hit.
- Some tough news for the Boston Bruins, as Hampus Lindholm is likely done for the season due to his fractured patella. He hasn't played since November 12th and his absence has been strongly felt. Charlie McAvoy also doesn't have a timeline for his return.
- Language warning here, as Buffalo Sabres colour man Rob Ray was hit with a puck while calling the game between the benches and understandably dropped a very loud and clear f-bomb.
