This week in the NHL saw a significant number of injury updates that could greatly impact fantasy lineups as teams near the end of the regular season. The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with key absences as Josh Norris missed a game due to a mid-body injury, while Sam Lafferty was absent from practice. The Calgary Flames also faced setbacks with Mikael Backlund sidelined, while MacKenzie Weegar and Joel Farabee made their returns.

The Chicago Blackhawks are particularly hit hard, as Jason Dickinson is out for the season with a wrist injury, and Alec Martinez is day-to-day. In Detroit, the Red Wings are monitoring Elmer Soderblom, who will miss the upcoming game after re-aggravating an injury. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot exited a game with an undisclosed injury, and Alex Turcotte is day-to-day.

Other notable mentions include the St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, who is skating but not ready to return, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Erik Cernak, who also suffered an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Tomas Hertl's absence on a road trip, while Alex Pietrangelo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the regular season winding down, these injuries could significantly affect playoff aspirations and fantasy rosters alike.

This offseason poses significant questions for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they contemplate their approach to free agency. The potential for the team to trade draft picks for young talent could open the door to attracting high-profile free agents like Mitch Marner. However, securing these trades is not a straightforward task. Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres’ JJ Peterka has emerged as a viable offer sheet candidate, although the Penguins are wary of aggressive moves with their valuable 2026 first-round pick on the line.

Rickard Rakell's value remains a topic, with the Penguins’ management suggesting they might be willing to sell low, which raises eyebrows considering the potential they once saw in him. The Penguins could also explore the trade market further as the NHL expands, with cities like Houston and Atlanta being considered for new teams, which might lead to shifts in player dynamics across the league. With the draft and free agency looming, the Penguins' strategies will be crucial in shaping their immediate future.

As NHL teams approach the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils are keenly interested in bolstering their offensive firepower, particularly through the acquisition of Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Devils, in particular, have struggled to fill the void left by Tyler Toffoli, now with the San Jose Sharks. With reports indicating a high asking price from Pittsburgh, the Devils are weighing their options.

Rumors suggest the Penguins want a substantial return for Rakell, potentially including a first-round pick and a top prospect. This hefty price tag has made the Devils cautious, especially given their recent performance. Meanwhile, the Kings have also expressed interest in Rakell but have opted to pursue other avenues. The situation remains dynamic as teams prepare for the imminent trade action.

The Los Angeles Kings faced significant cap space challenges during the trade deadline, leading them to sign Andrei Kuzmenko instead of pursuing higher-profile players like Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks or Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Reports suggest Vancouver's reluctance to trade within the division was a key factor. The Kings are currently in a tight playoff race, and while there was interest in Boeser, the financial logistics made it complicated. Additionally, the Kings had ongoing discussions about acquiring Rakell, but those did not materialize, prompting speculation about future moves during the offseason.

The Edmonton Oilers have recently engaged in discussions regarding a potential trade for Mikko Rantanen. Although the Oilers were offering a package that exceeded what Rantanen received from the Dallas Stars, it ultimately fell short of what was necessary to finalize a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. In parallel discussions, the Oilers also explored options for acquiring Richard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Donato from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signaled their intention to retain Mitch Marner but entertained the notion of a trade involving Rantanen, as both players are approaching free agency. Marner expressed his commitment to the Maple Leafs for the current season, indicating he would prefer to assess his future during the offseason. The New Jersey Devils showed interest in both Rantanen and Brock Nelson, but their trades did not materialize due to asset limitations.