The Panthers have given up a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick and a third-round selection in 2025 to land Tarasenko. As part of the trade, the Senators will retain 50% of Tarasenko’s $5 million salary in 2023-24.

Despite sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division, the Panthers have struggled with getting goals throughout the season. Adding Tarasenko is a significant step in resolving this issue, considering his scoring prowess. Since making his debut in the NHL, Tarasenko compiled six campaigns with 33 or more goals.

This season, Tarasenko’s scoring dropped off, and he has only 17 goals, alongside 24 assists, in 57 games. However, with better playmaking surrounding him in Florida, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he starts racking up goals on a more frequent basis.

The Senators, on the other hand, get some assets for a player on an expiring contract. While the return seems underwhelming, their hands were tied, considering that Tarasenko had a no-movement clause in his contract and was required to green-lit any trade.

Prior to joining the Senators as a free agent this past offseason, Tarasenko also suited up for the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers. He is a four-time All-Star and was part of the Blues team that won a Stanley Cup in 2019.

The post Panthers Acquire All-Star Winger Vladimir Tarasenko From the Senators appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news comes after weeks of speculations about Pettersson’s future. He was set to enter restricted free agency after the 2023-24 campaign, and there was a loud chatter that the Canucks might trade him if he didn’t sign a new deal.

However, the two sides managed to come to an agreement that will see Pettersson earn $92.8 million in the next eight years while also getting a no-movement clause starting the 2025-26 season. His deal comes with an average annual value of $11.6 million, marking the fifth-highest cap hit in the NHL.

Pettersson, who serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks, has 29 goals and 46 assists for a total of 75 points in 62 games this season.

“I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. I love this city and playing in front of the fans. We have an exciting group and believe we can do good things in the future,” Pettersson said in a statement.

Elias Pettersson made his debut with the Canucks in 2018–19. Since then, he played 387 games, contributing 398 points (165 goals and 233 assists). Pettersson won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019 and has four All-Star appearances.

The post Canucks Lock All-Star FW Elias Pettersson to 8-Year, $92.8 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Canucks’ general manager Patrik Allvin confirmed that Kessel will have a workout with Abbotsford earlier this week.

“He’s going to go down there and skate for two or three days,” said Allvin. “We’ll see how he is down there and reevaluate from there.”

If Kessel ends up signing with the Canucks, it would be on a team-friendly deal. They currently have around $650,000 in free cap space.

 Kessel would likely provide depth and championship experience to the Canucks’ team that feels ready to win it all this year. They are currently sitting first in the Pacific Division and have the NHL’s best record at 36-12-6.

Phil Kessel previously played with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights. He has 1,286 NHL games and 992 points under his belt while making three All-Star appearances.

Kessel spent the 2022-23 season with the Golden Knights, helping the franchise to win its first Stanley Cup. He played in all 82 regular season games, scoring 14 goals and dishing 22 assists for a total of 36 points.

The post Veteran Winger Phil Kessel Set to Work Out With the Canucks appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“It’s something that we’re trying to change here, the culture and everything, and it’s been fun for me, playing every night and being healthy, feeling good about yourself, and having good games. It definitely helps,” Mrazek said about his time in Chicago. “But the No. 1 thing for me is to turn things around here as a team and start winning games soon.”

While the Blackhawks have been rebuilding over the past few seasons, the current campaign has been difficult for them. Going 14-32-2, the Blackhawks find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference Central Division. Mrazek was 12-17-1 with a .907 save percentage and 3.01 goals-against average ahead of Wednesday night’s 6-2 defeat to the Seattle Krakens.

The post Blackhawks Reach Two-Year Deal With Goalie Petr Mrazek appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Over the years, he has built a young, powerful and dynamic team that our organization can be proud of,” Devils co-owner David Blitzer said of Fitzgerald. “Tom has worked tirelessly on revamping the roster via signings, trades and draft picks to build an established core with a focus on not only today but for many years to come.”

Since taking over from Ray Shero on an interim basis in 2020, Fitzgerald has played an active role in the team’s rapid improvement in the NHL over the past few seasons. He also served as the Pittsburgh Penguins director of player development when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009. The Devils currently find themselves fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-18-3 record.

The post Devils Name GM Tom Fitzgerald As President Of Hockey Operations appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Aliaksei is a young and talented player, and we are excited to sign him to a long-term contract,” Capitals president of hockey operations and general manager Brian MacLellan said following the announcement of the deal. “He has taken great strides in his professional career, and we expect him to improve and play a pivotal and impactful role on this team for many years to come.”

Picked by the Capitals in the third round of the 2019 draft, Protas has contributed 18 points and three goals this season. He has played a role in lifting his team to a 22-15-6 record, putting them in contention for a playoff berth. Protas is ranked third in his team for assists and sixth in points.

The post Washington Capitals Sign Aliaksei Protas to Five-Year Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Spurgeon is expected to recover in time for the training camp ahead of the next season, according to the team statement.

Spurgeon has been frequently sidelined this season while also dealing with a shoulder injury. The 34-year-old defenseman will end his campaign with 16 games and five points.

The Wild placed Spurgeon on a long-term injury reserve, which means that his $7.575 million salary won’t count against their salary cap anymore. This will allow the team to bring in one or two players who can make an immediate impact and improve their depth on the blue line.

The Wild is in the midst of a disappointing season that sees them sitting 7th in the Central Division with an 18-20-5 record. They have particularly struggled without Spurgeon, losing five out of seven games since the 34-year-old went down.

Jared Spurgeon spent all of his 14 years in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. In 867 games with the franchise, Spurgeon scored 110 goals and added 274 assists for a total of 384 points.

The post Minnesota Wild Captain Jared Spurgeon to Miss the Remainder of 2023-24 NHL Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Nylander’s deal is worth $92 million and comes with an average annual value of $11.5 million. It gives the player a full no-trade clause and includes $69 million in signing bonus money.

Nylander was previously set to hit the free agency after the 2023-24 campaign. Instead, he receives the biggest contract in franchise history in terms of total value. The previous record was held by captain John Tavares, who received a seven-year, $77 million contract in 2018. Center Auston Matthews still holds the record for average annual value thanks to the four-year, $53-million deal he signed last August.

“This has been home for me,” Nylander said after signing the deal. “This is the longest I’ve ever spent in one place in my entire life. It’s funny, the other day I was talking to a friend and I said, ‘And then we go home’ in referring to Toronto. Without even thinking about it, this was home.”

The Leafs drafted William Nylander eighth overall in the 2014 NHL draft. The Calgary, Alberta, born winger made his NHL debut in 2015–16 and has since established himself as one of the franchise’s cornerstones. During his nine years in the NHL, Nylander played 558 games, scoring 198 goals and dishing 286 assists for a total of 484 points.

The post Maple Leafs Lock Star Winger William Nylander to 8-Year, $92 Million Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Tortorella became only the eighth head coach in the NHL with 1,500 games in charge. He is also the first United States-born head coach to reach the mark in the history of the league.

Unfortunately for Tortorella, the Kraken ended up spoiling his big night by getting a 2-1 win in overtime.

“The only thing I’m thankful (for is) that people have entrusted me, to let me work with athletes,” Tortorella said about the milestone. “It’s been my life. I appreciate people having a little faith in allowing me to work with them, that’s all. I don’t give a s— about the number. I just like coaching, I like being around the players, and I really appreciate and am humbled by the opportunities I’ve been given.”

John Tortorella started his coaching career in the NHL during the 1999-00 season with a brief stint as a head coach of the New York Rangers. He landed with the Tampa Bay Lightning next season as a mid-season hire and went on to spend six years with the franchise, winning a Stanley Cup in 2003-04.  

Tortorella later also coached the Rangers again while spending time with the Vancouver Canucks and the Columbus Blue Jackets before taking over the Flyers ahead of the 2022–23 campaign. The 65-year-old coach has a 723-590-37-150 record as a head coach in the NHL.

The post Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella Reaches 1,500 Games in NHL appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed his belief that Bear could be a great fit for the organization, adding that the player is now fully fit. Bear was injured last spring while representing Canada at the world championships. This is Carbery’s fourth NFL franchise following Edmonton, Carolina, and Vancouver.

“Honestly felt like they really cared a lot and they want me here instead of needing me,” Bear stated after signing the deal. “I can kind of get my legs under me, get thinking quick again to learn the system, and kind of get to learn everyone’s tendencies instead of just kind of getting tossed into the fire, so I really appreciate that.”

The post Capitals Sign Ethan Bear on Two-Year Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The Panthers have given up a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick and a third-round selection in 2025 to land Tarasenko. As part of the trade, the Senators will retain 50% of Tarasenko’s $5 million salary in 2023-24.

Despite sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division, the Panthers have struggled with getting goals throughout the season. Adding Tarasenko is a significant step in resolving this issue, considering his scoring prowess. Since making his debut in the NHL, Tarasenko compiled six campaigns with 33 or more goals.

This season, Tarasenko’s scoring dropped off, and he has only 17 goals, alongside 24 assists, in 57 games. However, with better playmaking surrounding him in Florida, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he starts racking up goals on a more frequent basis.

The Senators, on the other hand, get some assets for a player on an expiring contract. While the return seems underwhelming, their hands were tied, considering that Tarasenko had a no-movement clause in his contract and was required to green-lit any trade.

Prior to joining the Senators as a free agent this past offseason, Tarasenko also suited up for the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers. He is a four-time All-Star and was part of the Blues team that won a Stanley Cup in 2019.

The post Panthers Acquire All-Star Winger Vladimir Tarasenko From the Senators appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news comes after weeks of speculations about Pettersson’s future. He was set to enter restricted free agency after the 2023-24 campaign, and there was a loud chatter that the Canucks might trade him if he didn’t sign a new deal.

However, the two sides managed to come to an agreement that will see Pettersson earn $92.8 million in the next eight years while also getting a no-movement clause starting the 2025-26 season. His deal comes with an average annual value of $11.6 million, marking the fifth-highest cap hit in the NHL.

Pettersson, who serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks, has 29 goals and 46 assists for a total of 75 points in 62 games this season.

“I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. I love this city and playing in front of the fans. We have an exciting group and believe we can do good things in the future,” Pettersson said in a statement.

Elias Pettersson made his debut with the Canucks in 2018–19. Since then, he played 387 games, contributing 398 points (165 goals and 233 assists). Pettersson won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019 and has four All-Star appearances.

The post Canucks Lock All-Star FW Elias Pettersson to 8-Year, $92.8 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Canucks’ general manager Patrik Allvin confirmed that Kessel will have a workout with Abbotsford earlier this week.

“He’s going to go down there and skate for two or three days,” said Allvin. “We’ll see how he is down there and reevaluate from there.”

If Kessel ends up signing with the Canucks, it would be on a team-friendly deal. They currently have around $650,000 in free cap space.

 Kessel would likely provide depth and championship experience to the Canucks’ team that feels ready to win it all this year. They are currently sitting first in the Pacific Division and have the NHL’s best record at 36-12-6.

Phil Kessel previously played with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights. He has 1,286 NHL games and 992 points under his belt while making three All-Star appearances.

Kessel spent the 2022-23 season with the Golden Knights, helping the franchise to win its first Stanley Cup. He played in all 82 regular season games, scoring 14 goals and dishing 22 assists for a total of 36 points.

The post Veteran Winger Phil Kessel Set to Work Out With the Canucks appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“It’s something that we’re trying to change here, the culture and everything, and it’s been fun for me, playing every night and being healthy, feeling good about yourself, and having good games. It definitely helps,” Mrazek said about his time in Chicago. “But the No. 1 thing for me is to turn things around here as a team and start winning games soon.”

While the Blackhawks have been rebuilding over the past few seasons, the current campaign has been difficult for them. Going 14-32-2, the Blackhawks find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference Central Division. Mrazek was 12-17-1 with a .907 save percentage and 3.01 goals-against average ahead of Wednesday night’s 6-2 defeat to the Seattle Krakens.

The post Blackhawks Reach Two-Year Deal With Goalie Petr Mrazek appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Over the years, he has built a young, powerful and dynamic team that our organization can be proud of,” Devils co-owner David Blitzer said of Fitzgerald. “Tom has worked tirelessly on revamping the roster via signings, trades and draft picks to build an established core with a focus on not only today but for many years to come.”

Since taking over from Ray Shero on an interim basis in 2020, Fitzgerald has played an active role in the team’s rapid improvement in the NHL over the past few seasons. He also served as the Pittsburgh Penguins director of player development when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009. The Devils currently find themselves fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-18-3 record.

The post Devils Name GM Tom Fitzgerald As President Of Hockey Operations appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Aliaksei is a young and talented player, and we are excited to sign him to a long-term contract,” Capitals president of hockey operations and general manager Brian MacLellan said following the announcement of the deal. “He has taken great strides in his professional career, and we expect him to improve and play a pivotal and impactful role on this team for many years to come.”

Picked by the Capitals in the third round of the 2019 draft, Protas has contributed 18 points and three goals this season. He has played a role in lifting his team to a 22-15-6 record, putting them in contention for a playoff berth. Protas is ranked third in his team for assists and sixth in points.

The post Washington Capitals Sign Aliaksei Protas to Five-Year Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Spurgeon is expected to recover in time for the training camp ahead of the next season, according to the team statement.

Spurgeon has been frequently sidelined this season while also dealing with a shoulder injury. The 34-year-old defenseman will end his campaign with 16 games and five points.

The Wild placed Spurgeon on a long-term injury reserve, which means that his $7.575 million salary won’t count against their salary cap anymore. This will allow the team to bring in one or two players who can make an immediate impact and improve their depth on the blue line.

The Wild is in the midst of a disappointing season that sees them sitting 7th in the Central Division with an 18-20-5 record. They have particularly struggled without Spurgeon, losing five out of seven games since the 34-year-old went down.

Jared Spurgeon spent all of his 14 years in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. In 867 games with the franchise, Spurgeon scored 110 goals and added 274 assists for a total of 384 points.

The post Minnesota Wild Captain Jared Spurgeon to Miss the Remainder of 2023-24 NHL Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Nylander’s deal is worth $92 million and comes with an average annual value of $11.5 million. It gives the player a full no-trade clause and includes $69 million in signing bonus money.

Nylander was previously set to hit the free agency after the 2023-24 campaign. Instead, he receives the biggest contract in franchise history in terms of total value. The previous record was held by captain John Tavares, who received a seven-year, $77 million contract in 2018. Center Auston Matthews still holds the record for average annual value thanks to the four-year, $53-million deal he signed last August.

“This has been home for me,” Nylander said after signing the deal. “This is the longest I’ve ever spent in one place in my entire life. It’s funny, the other day I was talking to a friend and I said, ‘And then we go home’ in referring to Toronto. Without even thinking about it, this was home.”

The Leafs drafted William Nylander eighth overall in the 2014 NHL draft. The Calgary, Alberta, born winger made his NHL debut in 2015–16 and has since established himself as one of the franchise’s cornerstones. During his nine years in the NHL, Nylander played 558 games, scoring 198 goals and dishing 286 assists for a total of 484 points.

The post Maple Leafs Lock Star Winger William Nylander to 8-Year, $92 Million Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Tortorella became only the eighth head coach in the NHL with 1,500 games in charge. He is also the first United States-born head coach to reach the mark in the history of the league.

Unfortunately for Tortorella, the Kraken ended up spoiling his big night by getting a 2-1 win in overtime.

“The only thing I’m thankful (for is) that people have entrusted me, to let me work with athletes,” Tortorella said about the milestone. “It’s been my life. I appreciate people having a little faith in allowing me to work with them, that’s all. I don’t give a s— about the number. I just like coaching, I like being around the players, and I really appreciate and am humbled by the opportunities I’ve been given.”

John Tortorella started his coaching career in the NHL during the 1999-00 season with a brief stint as a head coach of the New York Rangers. He landed with the Tampa Bay Lightning next season as a mid-season hire and went on to spend six years with the franchise, winning a Stanley Cup in 2003-04.  

Tortorella later also coached the Rangers again while spending time with the Vancouver Canucks and the Columbus Blue Jackets before taking over the Flyers ahead of the 2022–23 campaign. The 65-year-old coach has a 723-590-37-150 record as a head coach in the NHL.

The post Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella Reaches 1,500 Games in NHL appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed his belief that Bear could be a great fit for the organization, adding that the player is now fully fit. Bear was injured last spring while representing Canada at the world championships. This is Carbery’s fourth NFL franchise following Edmonton, Carolina, and Vancouver.

“Honestly felt like they really cared a lot and they want me here instead of needing me,” Bear stated after signing the deal. “I can kind of get my legs under me, get thinking quick again to learn the system, and kind of get to learn everyone’s tendencies instead of just kind of getting tossed into the fire, so I really appreciate that.”

The post Capitals Sign Ethan Bear on Two-Year Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.