NHL Rundown: Huberdeau’s Season Ends, Panarin’s Wild Ride to L.A., Draisaitl Vents, and Trade Clarity in Columbus and Toronto
As the Olympic break hits pause on the NHL season, the league’s off-ice drama is heating up. From Jonathan Huberdeau’s season-ending surgery to Artemi Panarin’s eyebrow-raising move to Los Angeles, and Leon Draisaitl’s pointed words in Edmonton, there’s no shortage of storylines to dig into. Let’s break it all down.
Jonathan Huberdeau’s Season Ends After Hip Surgery Decision
Jonathan Huberdeau’s season is officially over, and it ends not with a whimper, but with a goal - a power-play tally in Calgary’s 4-3 win over Edmonton. That goal, as it turns out, was his final moment on the ice this season. The 32-year-old forward is set to undergo hip surgery, a decision that’s been looming as he’s reportedly been playing through significant pain for some time.
With the Flames sitting well outside the playoff picture and the Olympic break offering a natural reset point, the timing made sense. Huberdeau’s been grinding through the pain, but now it’s about the long-term. Calgary will have to navigate the rest of the season without one of their top veterans, and while the team’s postseason hopes were already fading, this puts an even greater emphasis on development and evaluation moving forward.
Artemi Panarin’s “Bonkers” Path to the Kings
Artemi Panarin’s move to the Los Angeles Kings wasn’t just surprising - it was downright chaotic. According to reports, the final 48 hours of his time with the Rangers were filled with twists, turns, and some jaw-dropping financial decisions.
Panarin had initially been eyeing Florida or Tampa Bay as potential landing spots. Anaheim showed interest but reportedly balked at a long-term extension.
San Jose kicked the tires but never got far. Then came Los Angeles - not exactly the front-runner, but the team that ultimately landed him.
Here’s the kicker: Panarin left a lot of money on the table. There were whispers of a four-year, $60 million offer floating out there, with Seattle widely believed to be the mystery team throwing around big numbers - even reportedly offering more per year than Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV. Carolina, Washington, and possibly Utah were also in the mix.
But Panarin made it clear: he wanted L.A. That led to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Kings - a massive discount by NHL standards. When a player of Panarin’s caliber turns down $30 million to go where he wants, it says a lot about both his priorities and how he views the Kings’ trajectory.
Draisaitl Sounds Off as Oilers Hit the Break on a Skid
Frustration is boiling over in Edmonton - and Leon Draisaitl isn’t hiding it.
After a 4-3 loss to Calgary, the Oilers’ third straight defeat, Draisaitl didn’t mince words. The Pacific Division is wide open, but Edmonton is slipping, and the star forward called out just about every corner of the organization in his postgame comments.
“Not consistent enough,” he said. “This league’s too hard to just lollygag through games and try to get winning streaks going.
You need everybody. It starts with the coaches, like everybody.
You’re never going to win if you have four or five guys going. It starts at the top.
We can be better, our leaders can be better, and yeah, take the break and regroup.”
It’s a rare public airing of frustration from one of the league’s elite players - and while Draisaitl himself continues to produce at a high level (80 points in 55 games), it’s clear the team’s overall effort hasn’t matched expectations.
With Anaheim, Seattle, and San Jose improving, and powerhouses like Vegas and now Los Angeles (with Panarin) in the mix, the road to the playoffs is looking more treacherous than it has in recent years. Edmonton has work to do - and now, a long break to figure out how to fix it.
In a roster move, the Oilers assigned goaltender Calvin Pickard to the AHL. But there’s a wrinkle: he doesn’t have to report until February 17.
By making the move now, Edmonton avoids burning NHL roster days that would force Pickard through waivers again. It’s a savvy bit of roster management during the break.
Trade Winds: Jenner Staying Put, Leafs Set McMann Price
With the trade deadline creeping closer, a few teams are starting to show their cards.
In Columbus, Boone Jenner is expected to stay put. Rather than fielding offers for their captain, the Blue Jackets are prioritizing contract talks during the Olympic break. Jenner remains a central figure in the room, and it looks like the team is more interested in locking him in than moving him out.
Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have made their stance on Bobby McMann crystal clear. The 29-year-old winger has 19 goals and 32 points in 56 games, and the Leafs are reportedly holding out for a first-round pick. There was apparently a strong chance he could’ve been moved already, but Toronto is sticking to their valuation - and they’re willing to wait for the right return.
Bottom Line
Between major injuries, blockbuster moves, locker room tension, and trade deadline posturing, the NHL is anything but quiet heading into the Olympic break. Huberdeau’s season is done, Panarin shocked the league with his move to L.A., Draisaitl is demanding more from his team, and front offices in Columbus and Toronto are drawing their lines in the sand.
The break may slow the on-ice action, but behind the scenes, the league is buzzing - and once the games resume, the playoff push will be in full swing.