NHL trade deadline is just three weeks away, so it’s about to get even clearer which teams are going to be sellers and which will be buyers. Meanwhile, two teams, the Vancouver Canucks and the New York Rangers are rumored to be in discussion about a potential swap of players,

The Vancouver Canucks have been the talk of the National Hockey League this season. There has been injury news, leaves of absence, and locker room sagas, which have now led to trade rumours.

The metrics under the hood tell a curious story centered on one basic fact: Kakko and his linemates are on a shooting hot streak while Lafreniere and his linemates are in a shooting slump.

Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle ... Rangers host Ottawa on Tuesday to open a four-game homestand, and Canadiens host Tampa Bay to finish a three-game homestand.

Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle ... Rangers host Ottawa on Tuesday to open a four-game homestand, and Canadiens host Tampa Bay to finish a three-game homestand.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alexis Lafrenière ... who also lost Saturday ( 5-1 at Tampa Bay

And then there was the play of goalie Sam Montembeault. Montembeault denied numerous Grade-A scoring chances to keep the Lightning stuck at two goals. In the third period alone, he stopped 14 shots. His play neutralized the Lightning’s territorial edge.

Lafreniere recorded his first multi-point effort since Jan. 7, when he scored two goals in a 5-4 loss to the Stars. The star winger is having a down year compared to 2023-24, however, when he established a career-high mark in points with 57.

Florida Panthers centre Sam Reinhart (13) celebrates with defenceman Niko Mikkola (77) and teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (Jessie Alcheh/AP)

Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves, Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and an assist and the New York Rangers beat the Ottawa Senators 5-0 on Tuesday night.

The New York Rangers appear to remain the frontrunners to land J.T. Miller in a trade, but one of their division rivals might also be in the mix for the star center.