Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde and fellow teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand are at the center of trade discussions with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The potential trade hinges on a $3.5 million salary cap gap, leaving Seattle or a third party responsible for covering part of the salary. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club is actively seeking to upgrade their roster, possibly offloading Matias Maccelli. The St. Louis Blues are likely to keep their roster intact, as Brayden Schenn prefers to stay, though he has intrigued other teams. Lastly, the Columbus Blue Jackets are exploring options for a middle-six forward but are hesitant to offer long-term contracts as they negotiate with Ivan Provorov.

In a vigorous contest on Monday night, the Utah Hockey Club triumphed over the Winnipeg Jets with a final score of 5-2, marking their second consecutive home win. Connor Ingram was stellar in goal, making 23 saves while Olli Maatta celebrated his first goal for Utah, contributing to the team's offensive onslaught alongside Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, Matias Maccelli, and Clayton Keller, each finding their way onto the scoresheet.

Despite a shaky moment when Keller was struck in the face by a puck in the second period, he returned to assist in a crucial goal. The Jets managed to score twice in the third but were unable to overcome a significant deficit.

In a thrilling encounter, the New York Rangers overcame a challenging start to secure a 5-3 win against the Utah Hockey Club. Artemi Panarin emerged as a key player, netting two goals, including a decisive empty-netter in the closing moments. Chris Kreider's go-ahead goal, resulting from a defensive deflection, proved crucial as the Rangers rallied back from deficit multiple times.

Utah's Matias Maccelli scored twice early in the game and initially put the home team ahead. However, despite strong performances, including a power-play goal by Logan Cooley, Utah succumbed to their third consecutive home defeat. The Rangers’ resilience shone through as they balanced their defense with timely offensive strikes, showcasing depth and determination.

In an intense matchup, the New York Rangers overcame early deficits to secure a 5-3 win against the Utah Hockey Club. Artemi Panarin stood out with two goals, including an empty-netter that sealed the victory. Chris Kreider contributed a crucial go-ahead goal late in the third period. The Rangers, who had previously struggled when trailing entering the final frame, rallied after a short-handed goal by Reilly Smith tied the game at three early in the third.

Utah's Matias Maccelli scored twice, showcasing his skill with an opening goal just 61 seconds into the game. Despite this, the Rangers displayed resilience, with Panarin and Arthur Kaliyev netting answers to each of Utah's early strikes. Igor Shesterkin was key in goal, making 28 saves, while Utah's Karel Vejmelka faced 25 shots. Both teams are set to return to action on Saturday.

The Nashville Predators are contemplating trading veteran center Ryan O'Reilly as they prepare for a rebuild ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline. At 33 years old with a $4.5 million cap hit, O'Reilly is likely to attract interest from playoff contenders, particularly those seeking depth and experience.

The New Jersey Devils emerge as a prime candidate, with general manager Tom Fitzgerald looking to enhance the team's forward depth. With projected cap space of $7.4 million and a need for a reliable third or fourth-line center, O'Reilly could provide the Devils the boost they seek. His defensive prowess would allow captain Nico Hischier to focus on scoring.

Other potential suitors include the Utah Hockey Club, currently in contention for a playoff spot with significant cap space and a collection of draft picks. Finally, the New York Rangers, sitting on the edge of playoff contention, might see value in O'Reilly's leadership to stabilize their team as they navigate a challenging season.