The St. Louis Blues have placed veteran forward Brandon Saad on waivers, intending to send him to the minors. General Manager Doug Armstrong indicated that if Saad clears waivers, he will be assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL. With a $4.5 million cap hit for another year, his trade prospects appear slim, leading to his current waiver situation.

This season, Saad has struggled, failing to score in 40 out of 43 games, accumulating only 16 points through seven goals and nine assists. His production has led to minimal trade interest from other teams, prompting Armstrong to express a need to create space for younger players like Alexandre Texier.

The St. Louis Blues have strengthened their playoff ambitions by acquiring defenseman Cam Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, the Blues sent a 2027 second-round pick and minor league player Jeremie Biakabutuka to Anaheim, while the Ducks retained a significant portion of Fowler's salary.

Fowler, who has spent his entire 15-year NHL career with the Ducks, is the franchise's all-time leading defenseman in points, goals, and assists. Despite his impressive stats, he has struggled defensively in recent seasons.

This trade follows the Ducks' recent acquisition of Jacob Trouba and may indicate that Blues defenseman Nick Leddy will be sidelined for an extended period. The Blues have also made a coaching change, hiring Jim Montgomery after firing Drew Bannister, resulting in a positive shift in their performance.

Luke Richardson has been dismissed as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, with Anders Sorensen stepping in as interim coach. Richardson's tenure saw a disappointing record of 57-118-15 over three seasons, culminating in a last-place standing this season.

General manager Kyle Davidson cited the need for improved performance in the team's rebuilding phase as the reason for the change. The Blackhawks have struggled significantly, ranking low in goals per game and have only made one playoff appearance in the last seven years.

The first quarter of the NHL 2024-25 season has concluded, revealing a mix of strong contenders like the Winnipeg Jets and disappointing teams such as the Nashville Predators. The Jets have excelled with a solid goaltending performance from Connor Hellebuyck, while the Predators have struggled despite high-profile acquisitions.

Kirill Kaprizov stands out as the most valuable player, while Connor Ingram's poor performance has made him the least valuable player. The season has also seen remarkable goals, coaching changes, and trade speculations, setting the stage for an exciting continuation.

The Colorado Avalanche's impressive performance against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs has sparked significant changes for the Jets, who have since started the season strong with a record of 15-1.

Despite losing key players, the Jets have improved their scoring while maintaining solid defensive play, though their analytics suggest room for improvement at even strength.

Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin continues to make headlines, leading the NHL in goals at 39 years old, despite a recent injury. Former coach Jim Montgomery quickly found a new job with the St. Louis Blues after a brief dismissal from the Bruins.

In addition, goalie Dustin Wolf is emerging as a strong candidate for the Calder Trophy, showcasing his talent despite his smaller stature. The NHL has also introduced new visualizations for goals, enhancing the viewing experience for fans.