We’re less than one week away from the NHL’s pre-Olympic trade freeze, which means there’s a lot of trade buzz around the NHL. But trades aren’t the only pieces of news around the league right now that are worth considering.
Patrick Kane had a huge moment on Tuesday. The Canucks’ sprint to the bottom of the standings got another accelerant. The New York Islanders went shopping — in their own market. And the blue line continues to make news, both via trade rumors and a couple notable extensions signed by top teams in the standings.
Let’s take a quick lap around the NHL.
Kane on the Cusp of History
On Tuesday night, Patrick Kane picked up an assist in a 3-1 loss. That helper gives the future Hall of Famer 1,374 regular-season points in his NHL career — and ties him with Mike Modano for the most career points by an American-born player in league history.
Patrick Kane received some helpful advice from Mike Modano early in his career about adapting to professional hockey. They now share the @NHL record for most points among U.S.-born players. #NHLStats: t.co/61oStCnjjt pic.twitter.com/zichmOuiLG
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) January 28, 2026New York Trade Market
The New York Islanders have been busy already — and they haven’t been paying for long-distance phone calls (is that even still a thing?). On Monday, the Islanders acquired veteran left-handed defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers.
On Tuesday night, the New York Islanders made another local call. They acquired forward Ondrej Palat — and his entire $6M cap hit thru the end of next year — with a third-round pick in 2026 and sixth-round pick in 2027 for forward Maxim Tsyplakov. Tsyplakov, 27, has a $2.25M cap hit thru the end of next year.
#Isles Transaction: The New York Islanders have acquired Ondrej Palat, New Jersey Devils’ own third round pick in 2026, and sixth round pick in 2027 in exchange for Maxim Tsyplakov.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 28, 2026Defense Market Percolating
We’ve talked about the trade market for defensemen here a good amount recently with the Blackhawks having two potential trade chips on their blue line in Connor Murphy and Matt Grzelcyk. The trade of Soucy on Monday took one more name off the list.
Two more defensemen were locked up on Tuesday and Wednesday, signaling further commitment from their respective organizations.
On Tuesday, Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Sam Malinski to a four-year extension that has a $4.75M cap hit.
On Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Ben Chiarot to a three-year extension with a $3.85M AAV.
Vancouver’s Tank
The current owners of the best odds of winning the NHL Draft Lottery gained momentum in that effort on Tuesday. The Vancouver Canucks announced goaltender Thatcher Demko is done for the year and will undergo hip surgery.
Entering Wednesday, the Canucks are the only team in the NHL with a point percentage under .400 (they’re at .368). They also own the worst goal differential in the league (minus-55) and are an embarrassing 5-17-3 on home ice.
Vancouver has already added a second pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft from Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes trade. They’re reportedly shopping Evander Kane pretty hard right now as well. There will undoubtedly be other players on their roster who could move before the NHL Trade Deadline.
Are they in it for Gavin McKenna? Ivar Stenberg? One of the top defensemen in this year’s class? They still have to win the Draft Lottery to own the top pick. But they’re sure trying to keep the best odds.
NHL Odds & Ends
Pierre LeBrun unloaded his notebook at The Athletic on Wednesday. In it, he labels the Columbus Blue Jackets as a “swing team” before the NHL Trade deadline. He notes they’re better since they made a surprising coaching chance (5-1), but will take a step back and assess their approach over the Olympic break. They have a number of intriguing veterans in walk years who could be moved — or extended. In Olympic roster news, Sweden announced Marcus Johansson and Hampus Lindholm have replaced Leo Carlsson and Jonas Brodin on their roster for the upcoming Games. Johansson in and Brodin out means one Wild takes the place of another on the team. Staying with the Olympics and circling back to LeBrun’s notes on Wednesday, he offered this update on Tampa/Canada center Brayden Point:The preference, from Team Canada’s perspective and probably the Lightning’s as well — with Jon Cooper coaching for both sides — is to see Point appear in an NHL game before the break. It’s not 100 percent he’s going to Milan, but Point’s chances are better today than they were two weeks ago.
One would think if Point can’t go to the Games, Blackhawks center Connor Bedard could be in the mix as a potential replacement. On Wednesday morning, the Montreal Canadiens fired goalie coach Eric Raymond. Okay…Hence then, the article about around the nhl kane making history isles get busy locally the vancouver tank more was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Around the NHL: Kane Making History, Isles Get Busy (Locally), the Vancouver Tank, More )
Also on site :