BOSTON – The Boston Bruins are off today, with no practice or media availability as they prepare for a back-to-back this weekend. Two Canadian teams are coming to town to close out the week with the Vancouver Canucks here on Saturday and the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Sunday’s game will close the four-game season series with the Senators; the Bruins are currently 1-2-0 against them.

The NHL roster freeze goes into effect at midnight on Saturday. It would be hard to top the Quinn Hughes trade to Minnesota at this moment, but that does not stop the trade talks from happening. The Bruins are reportedly checking back in on a player they’ve already inquired about this season. There are more trade talks across the league, with teams checking in on players as the roster freeze goes into effect.

Teams around the league are also dealing with injuries; it is not just the Bruins. The red-hot New York Islanders have been without one of their top forwards for the last few games, and the Oilers just lost their starting goalie to the injured reserve.

Boston Bruins

Last night’s loss was not all negative for the Bruins. They knew that, too; there were positives that they took out of a game against some of the league’s best talent. Marco Sturm, Jeremy Swayman, and Andrew Peeke all spoke about the Bruins’ five-on-five play. The numbers back it up. The Bruins generated more shots, scoring chances, and led the Corsi and Fenwick totals over Edmonton while playing five-on-five.

The Oilers, who boast the league’s best power play, were held to one goal on four attempts. The Bruins made some quality penalty kills halfway through the third period. It was McDavid’s shorthanded goal that stung the black and gold and ensured the Oilers’ victory. Boston dug deep but could not find the two goals it needed to keep this a game. Instead, Edmonton took the two points in a 3-1 win.

Regarding trade talks, RG’s Jimmy Murphy reported that there has been more action regarding the Bruins and Saturday’s opponent, the Vancouver Canucks; specifically Kiefer Sherwood. The Bruins have checked in again. Murphy’s source said the price for Sherwood has fallen, mirroring his recently declining production level. Sherwood has 13 goals on the season, but only one goal in his last 13 games. The report also mentions that Mason Marchment, Rasmus Andersson, and Phillip Danault have all been on the trade market recently.

Hockey News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs lack answers, and after a 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday, many questions remain about the team. Craig Berube said that Washington showed more passion in their game. When asked how to explain that, Berube told the media to “ask those guys, not me.” Toronto has a 15-13-5 record and sits seventh in the Atlantic Division. However, they are only 6 points away from the Atlantic Division-leading Detroit Red Wings. The Bruins hold the Maple Leafs’ first-round pick (top-five protected), which, per Tankathon, is currently 12th overall.

Sportsnet: In last night’s Oilers-Bruins game, Tristan Jarry left after 36:08 due to an injury sustained when he extended from left to right on a Morgan Geekie shot. The newly-acquired netminder is now on the injured reserve. To fill the void, the Oilers called up Connor Ingram from the Bakersfield Condors (AHL).

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders have caught fire recently; they are five points out of the Eastern Conference lead. Bo Horvat has been unreal for the Islanders; he is one of two forwards with more than ten goals. His injury last week has left a gaping hole in their lineup, one that is tough to replace. There are not many players who have been as productive as Horvat this season.

Colorado Hockey Now: Mackenzie Blackwood, who has posted a 10-1-1 record this season, is one of the four goaltenders being considered for Team Canada at the Olympics. The Avalanche goaltender started the season late due to an offseason injury. Since his return, he has been splitting duties with Scott Wedgewood.

New Jersey Hockey Now: There’s more Phillip Danault trade talk, the New Jersey Devils are in on the 32-year-old center. He has one year left on his contract after this season, and carries a $5.5M cap hit. Montreal and Utah are also in the mix for Danault if the Kings decide to make a trade.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins have continued to lose, and after last night’s 4-0 loss to the Senators, they are now on a seven-game winless streak. Their penalty kill has slipped down the rankings, too. After 33 games, the Penguins rank 15th at 81.2%. Their penalty kill was inside the top five before the winless skid started.

College Hockey News: The Boston College Eagles have landed a mid-season transfer and have given themselves a left-handed shot to bolster their lineup. Oscar Hemming intended to move from Finland to the OHL, as he was drafted in the Import Draft and signed by the Kitchener Rangers; his Finnish club blocked the move. The NCAA is exempt from the IIHF transfer agreements, so Hemming cannot get blocked by his Finnish team. He is projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL draft.