3:00 PM ET They are the present and the future of the NHL. More than a few members of this year’s rookie class are already turning heads as prominent on-ice performers and valuable fantasy commodities. In competition that goes beyond dynasty/keeper leagues. Here’s a look at a handful of first-year game-changers, who can improve your

7:00 AM ET The 2022 NHL trade deadline is March 21, and front offices are working overtime. It’s not just an influx of scouts at games — general managers and assistant general managers are populating the press boxes, too. Calls are picking up in frequency and discussions are intensifying. Here’s some scuttle I’ve been hearing

Mar 2, 2022 ESPN staff The NHL’s 2022 trade deadline is March 21, but the deals started well before that date. On Nov. 4, the Buffalo Sabres traded franchise center Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights for Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch and a pair of draft picks. Then, on Feb. 14, the Calgary Flames

10:08 PM ET Associated Press CHICAGO — Duncan Keith heard loud, sustained cheers that rained down from every corner of the United Center. It was just like old times — and much different, too. Keith returned to his first NHL home Thursday night, playing his first game in Chicago since he was traded to the

6:07 PM ET The Chicago Blackhawks are getting their captain back — activating center Jonathan Toews from injured reserve. Toews has been out since suffering a concussion Jan. 26 against the Detroit Red Wings. Toews has played 43 games this season after missing all of last year with an immune disorder. He has four goals

Mar 3, 2022 Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals will be the Carolina Hurricanes‘ opponent in the NHL’s outdoor Stadium Series game next season. The game is scheduled to take place Feb. 18, 2023, at NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium across the parking lot from the Hurricanes’ home arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The league

8:58 AM ET Associated Press MOSCOW — A projected first-round pick in this year’s NHL draft is experiencing “serious health problems” that could mean he isn’t able to play for more than a year, the Russian Hockey Federation said Thursday. Ivan Miroshnichenko, an 18-year-old left winger, was on the Russian team that finished runner-up to

6:55 AM ET Brock Boeser has been on a journey this season. One that started poorly. The Vancouver Canucks top-line winger kicked off his contract year by scoring just nine points in 21 games, looking a long way off from the near point-per-game player he was eight months earlier. It was barely mid-November, Vancouver was

4:37 PM ET Former NHL player Dmitri Khristich remains at home in Ukraine, where he vows to fight for his country, which is currently experiencing an invasion from Russian troops. “The last week for me, it’s been a lot of stressed out, a lot of worrying,” Khristich told ESPN in a phone interview on Wednesday.

1:13 PM ET Associated Press ARLINGTON, Va. — Washington Capitals winger Carl Hagelin is expected to miss an extended period of time because of an eye injury. Hagelin, 33, was struck in the left eye with an errant stick during practice Tuesday. It was not immediately clear if he will need surgery. “Any time you