The Chicago Blackhawks had a disastrous end to their pre-Olympic schedule, getting shut out 4-0 by the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday. It was their sixth loss in the last seven games, and the ninth time in 12 games where they scored two goals or fewer. The 22-day break couldn’t come soon enough.
To make matters worse, both Wyatt Kaiser and Colton Dach exited Wednesday’s game early due to injury. Head coach Jeff Blashill provided slight updates on the two players during his postgame media availability. More in the links for a recap of the 4-0 loss to the Blue Jackets, and the latest news on Kaiser and Dach.
Also in Blackhawks news, prospect Samuel Savoie was handed a three-game suspension from the American Hockey League for his actions at the end of Sunday’s outing.
Around the league, the Breadman is heading to Los Angeles, Gavin McKenna is facing legal charges after an altercation over the weekend, and the Devils snuck in a trade before the roster freeze.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks had a far from ideal final game before the Olympic break. Not only did they lose 4-0 to the Blue Jackets, looking rather disinterested in the process, but Wyatt Kaiser and Colton Dach went down with injuries.
More CHN: Hey, what gives? Rookie Ryan Greene was a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Wednesday. He had played in the Blackhawks’ first 56 games. Head coach Jeff Blashill offered his reasoning behind sitting Greene, while also sharing brief updates on Kaiser and Dach during his postgame availability.
In AHL news, Samuel Savoie has been suspended for three games “as a consequence of his actions at the conclusion of Sunday’s game at Manitoba.” After the final horn sounded, sending the Rockford IceHogs to a 2-1 loss, Savoie fired the puck down the ice toward Manitoba’s netminder. That was a foolish mistake, but three games seems rather severe, no?
Rockford’s Samuel Savoie has been suspended for three games as a consequence of his actions at the conclusion of Sunday’s game at Manitoba.https://t.co/iKq6xUkTLa
— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) February 4, 2026
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: After weeks of rumblings, the Breadman has finally found a new home. The New York Rangers traded superstar Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick on Wednesday. New York retained 50 percent of Panarin’s $11.642 million AAV through the remainder of this season. The Kings swiftly signed Panarin to a two-year, $22 million contract extension.
Forever Blueshirts: After the trade went down, reports surfaced that the Kings were the only team Panarin was willing to waive his no-movement clause for. That left New York Rangers GM Chris Drury with little leverage, and he couldn’t maximize the return for Panarin. Context is crucial, but it doesn’t make the return any less underwhelming.
Onward State: This was the hockey news of the day, and that’s saying something, considering the Panarin trade. Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, is facing four charges, including one felony, following an alleged altercation in downtown State College on Saturday, Jan. 31.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils got in on the trade action before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze went into effect on Wednesday afternoon. The Devils acquired Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Thomas Bordeleau and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
The Athletic: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been on the bad end of some terrible luck this season. In Wednesday’s matchup against the Florida Panthers, McAvoy was drilled in the head with an elbow from Sandis Vilmanis in the first period. Fortunately, McAvoy escaped without a serious injury, and he should be alright to play for Team USA at the Olympics.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A nightmare season just got worse for former Blackhawk and current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones. The NHL gave Jones a 20-game suspension on Wednesday for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. When Jones returns, the Penguins will have only eight games left on their schedule.
NHL.com: Matt Boldy recorded his fourth NHL hat trick in the Minnesota Wild’s 6-5 overtime win against the Nashville Predators. Boldy is one of eight NHL players with 30 goals heading into the Olympic break.
Florida Hockey Now: Welcome back, Brad Marchand. After missing the last three games, Marchand returned to the Florida Panthers lineup and scored the shootout winner on Wednesday in a crazy affair against Boston.
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