Welcome to the DFO Rundown with Jason Gregor and Jeff Marek!
Jack Hughes is back for the New Jersey Devils after missing 18 games as they take on the red-hot Buffalo Sabres. The Devils struggled without Hughes, and they also get Timo Meier back as they look for a push to return to a playoff spot.
The Buffalo Sabres continue to shuffle their front office, bringing in Mark Bergevin and Josh Flynn. Jarmo Kekäläinen talked about breaking up the goalie trio in Buffalo, but with the Sabres having won five straight, who is the odd man out?
The Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild are both 4-0-0 since the Quinn Hughes trade, and it’s starting to look like a mutually beneficial deal. Some Vancouver fans are upset as their draft odds trend down with the wins, but seeing the incoming pieces contribute makes it hard to be too angry if you’re a Canucks fan.
Phillip Danault was traded to Montréal, and Mason Marchment was moved to Columbus. Danault provides the Canadiens with essential depth down the middle and takes some of the defensive load off Nick Suzuki. With the trade, young pieces in Los Angeles can move into more prominent roles, and the Kings could look to add at the deadline with the cap space created by moving Danault. Marchment adds some grit to Columbus, but what is happening in Seattle? Is a tank imminent for the Kraken?
Zach Werenski has been a huge piece for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but a shot off his foot saw him crawl off the ice. Would a long-term absence for Werenski be the nail in the coffin for Columbus?
Toronto went on a great streak, and everyone was saying they were back. They have a lot of skill, but the Leafs still lack a true driver. Craig Berube may have lost the room, but have the superstars ever really bought into his hard-nosed, down-to-business approach?
The St. Louis Blues have looked lethargic this year, and Marek doesn’t see them contending for a wild card spot. The Winnipeg Jets have also struggled, but with Connor Hellebuyck, can the Jets work their way back into a playoff position?
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