NHL rumors: Latest buzz, news after the trade deadline
By Brian Rauf, Chat Sports
Now that all of the hype surrounding the NHL trade deadline has come and gone, we turn our attention back to the ice and the ensuing playoff push. In the game of the night on Tuesday, Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid scored both goals in a 2–1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
As we head into the final month of the season, the Washington Capitals have a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference, while the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars are all tied for the lead in the Western Conference.
Check out the latest NHL news and rumors below.
• The Ottawa Senators announced that goalie Craig Anderson suffered a lower-body injury during their 4–3 loss to the Blues last night. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
• Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen wants to remain with the team “for a long time” after they decided not to trade him at the deadline, reports the Orange County Register.
• Chat Sports: NHL Power Rankings: Trade Deadline Edition
• Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has resumed practicing as he recovers from the broken finger he sustained on Jan. 18. He is expected to return March 14 against the Predators.
• The NHL announced that Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo has been suspended five games for his illegal hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette.
• Ducks forward Shawn Horcoff has returned to practice while serving his 20-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, reports the Los Angeles Daily News' Elliott Teaford. Horcoff's suspension ends March 11.
• Chat Sports: More NHL news and rumors inside the Chat Sports app
• The eight countries that will participate in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will announce their rosters on Wednesday. Team USA’s roster will be unveiled on ESPN's SportsCenter at 6:45 p.m. ET.
• Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr was left off the Czech Republic’s initial World Cup roster, reports NHL.com’s Shawn P. Roarke.