Pittsburgh Penguins President Kyle Dubas made significant moves just before the March 7 NHL trade deadline, trading forward Michael Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Tommy Novak. The Penguins also sent defenseman Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks for a 2028 fifth-round pick. Dubas highlighted Novak's youth, cap-friendly contract, and playmaking ability as key factors in acquiring him, while Schenn's experience and toughness were seen as critical for the team's playoff push.

Novak, 27, is expected to serve as a valuable third-line center, boasting 13 goals and 22 points in 52 games this season. Meanwhile, Schenn, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, brings leadership and defensive skills, having a cap hit of $2.75 million through the end of the 2025-26 season. These transactions mark the beginning of a busy trade period for Dubas, who is confident in making further impactful adjustments as the Penguins aim to return to contention.

The Pittsburgh Penguins made significant roster moves by trading forward Michael Bunting to the Nashville Predators and defenseman Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks. In exchange for Bunting, who has a respectable 29 points this season, the Penguins acquired defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Tommy Novak. Bunting, currently recovering from appendectomy surgery, has shown promise but his recent injury raises questions about his future contributions.

Luke Schenn, a seasoned defenseman, adds depth to the Penguins' blueline, although his recent performances have not been particularly impactful. Novak's inclusion in the trade brings a younger perspective, and his scoring potential could provide needed support to the Penguins’ offense.

Desharnais' trade to the Sharks was more of a move to clear space, as he struggled to make a mark in Pittsburgh. Overall, these trades highlight the Penguins' strategy to retool their lineup with an eye towards maximizing their playoff chances while managing the salary cap effectively.

The Pittsburgh Penguins bolstered their roster ahead of the playoff push by acquiring veteran defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Tommy Novak from the Nashville Predators, sending left wing Michael Bunting and a future fourth-round draft pick in return. Schenn, 35, is expected to add depth on defense, although his offensive contribution has been minimal, with only one goal this season. His experience and reliability on the penalty kill will be essential as the Penguins navigate the stretch run.

In addition, the Penguins traded defenseman Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks for a fifth-round pick in 2028. This transaction highlights the Penguins' strategy of reinforcing their blue line while offloading players who may not fit into their long-term plans.

In a thrilling matchup, the Nashville Predators halted the Winnipeg Jets' impressive 11-game winning streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. The Predators' Juuse Saros was solid in net, making 23 saves, while Filip Forsberg and Tommy Novak accounted for Nashville's goals. Forsberg opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a faceoff play. The Jets responded through Neal Pionk, but the Predators quickly regained the lead with Novak's power-play goal. Despite the Jets' efforts, including a two-man advantage late in the second, they failed to capitalize on their opportunities, including going 0 for 4 on the power play.

This win was crucial for the Predators, snapping their two-game losing streak and offering a much-needed boost as they look to turn their season around. The Jets, on the other hand, faced challenges after their recent success, playing back-to-back games and struggling to find their rhythm against the energized Predators.

In a thrilling matchup, Linus Karlsson netted his first NHL goal, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-1 victory against the Nashville Predators in Nashville. This win marks the Canucks' third consecutive victory, driven by goals from Nils Hoglander and Pius Suter, along with two assists from Quinn Hughes. Goalie Thatcher Demko stood strong, making 31 saves to secure the win.

The game's opening goal came from Hoglander, who displayed impressive skills with a toe-drag before beating Juuse Saros. Nashville's Tommy Novak equalized shortly after but was unable to keep the Canucks at bay as they regained control.