While the Blue Jackets and Devils duke it out for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division once again tonight, elsewhere in the division, storylines continue to fluctuate.
Devils Make a Deal
Before coming into Nationwide Arena and handing the Blue Jackets their worst home loss of the season (fairly impressive when you think about it), the New Jersey Devils dealt forwards Adam Henrique and Joseph Blandisi along with a third round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional pick on November 30th.
Vatanen averages over 21 minutes TOI this season through 18 games, with four points.
Giving up a key contributor up front such as Henrique (17 points in 27 games) and a prospect as promising as Blandisi may have repercussions. But at the same time, the Devils have dealt with no apparent lack of forward depth throughout the season and a main area of possible improvement is on defense behind Will Butcher, John Moore, and Damon Severson.
Chytil Down
Filip Chytil, the top prospect in the New York Rangers organization, started the year with the NHL team. It's been a bumpy road since.
After showing flashes but still appearing quite raw, Chytil was sent down to the AHL.
Then on Monday, Chytil was injured on a terrifying boarding play.
Filip Chytil goes face first into the stanchion after a hit from Andreas Johnsson. Very, very slow to get up, headed to the room. pic.twitter.com/IunlZKtW6u
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) December 2, 2017
Cervical strain is the official listing of the injury, and Chytil's status is day-to-day.
Rolling in Dough
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
New York Islanders star John Tavares stands to be the highest paid player in the NHL following this season, per an ESPN feature. Eight teams, including the Islanders, appear ready to make this so when the star becomes a free agent following this season.
Personally I still hold the Islanders as the favorite, seeing as how every time this topic comes up while researching the weekly notebook two things remain clear: 1. Tavares wants to stay there, but wants a Stanley Cup more and 2. The Islanders are doing everything in their power to keep him. With players like Jordan Eberle and Josh Ho-Sang to support him, the second of those clear things starts to make Stanley Cup dreams more realistic for Tavares while he is with the Islanders.
They Just Keep Piling Up
While not as serious as some of the others, yet another player has sustained an injury for the Washington Capitals this season. That player is T.J. Oshie.
Sharks forward Joe Thornton skated in to hit Oshie, and with the right wing already falling, Thornton’s posterior crunched Oshie’s head into the glass. Add another name to Washington’s growing list of injuries this season. Oshie is now expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks and is considered day-to-day by the team.– Isabelle Khurshudyan, The Washington Post
Sitting squarely in the middle of the divisional race with 33 points may actually be a small victory for the defending Metro champs after the number of injuries they've been hit with this year.
Recalled Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers recalled defenseman T.J. Brennan and goalie Alex Lyon in response to the placement of defenseman Brandon Manning and goalie Michael Neuvirth on injured reserve.
Brennan displayed some skill while with AHL Lehigh Valley, scoring 15 points in 17 games.
Sock You Like a Hurricane
Three, count 'em, three, different fights broke out at the Carolina Hurricanes game against the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
The FORCE is STRONG with McGinn! #Canes pic.twitter.com/AK1QEDa9gs
— FOX Sports Carolinas (@CanesOnFSCR) December 3, 2017
Hanifin ... learning the ways of the Jedi! #Redvolution pic.twitter.com/faDBEvJucC
— FOX Sports Carolinas (@CanesOnFSCR) December 3, 2017
The Hurricanes appear to be taking a more physical approach to winning hockey games now.
Note: The Hurricanes had a Star Wars theme at the game Saturday, which is why each tweet makes a Star Wars reference.
Discount Penguins
Forbes recently released their list of the highest-valued NHL franchises. The Penguins check in at 10th, with a value of $650 million. While that's pretty solid, in the same state the Philadelphia Flyers, who haven't won the last two Stanley Cups, are at $740 million.
You can see the full list of valuations here (spoiler: Blue Jackets slot near the bottom, 29th, with a value of $305 million).
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