Evan’s NHL Daily: Kane Dazzles Chicago, Olofsson Clears; What’s Next?

Patrick Kane returned to Chicago for the first time wearing a different NHL uniform on Sunday night, and just a few days after finishing the Avalanche off in overtime, buried the Blackhawks in similar fashion.

Colorado placed Fredrik Olofsson on waivers Saturday afternoon, and got the news that he cleared on Sunday. What’s next?

All that and more in this Monday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Looking back at the loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, where it looked like Mikko Rantanen was on his way to a +…until he wasn’t.

I’m currently working on Trade Board 2.0 for the Avalanche, with one addition being someone who was drafted by Columbus when Chris MacFarland worked there, Alex Wennberg.

Olofsson Clears

On Sunday, Fredrik Olofsson cleared waivers, so he’ll stay in the organization. Will he stay with the NHL squad? We’ll find out on Monday, as the Avalanche have practice at 11 AM. The Avalanche didn’t immediately send him to the Colorado Eagles, but are carrying a 23 man roster at the moment.

There were some rumblings regarding Valeri Nichushkin on Sunday. That doesn’t mean he’ll magically appear at practice with the team, but you never know. I, obviously, was not hanging around Ball Arena on a day off. Olofsson now has either 10 games or 30 days where he can freely go up and down between the NHL and the AHL, and it’s very possible Nichushkin returns during that time. Chris Wagner can also go up and down until he hits the 10 game or 30 day mark as well, so the Avalanche now have some wiggle room here if Nichushkin returns, or they make a move.

It should also be noted that Nikolai Kovalenko’s KHL regular season comes to an end on Monday. They’ll either be the 6th or 7th seed in the Western Conference, so his arrival is imminent.

Kane Finishes Off Chicago

Patrick Kane played most of 16 NHL seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups along the way, so Sunday’s return was a big one. He received a huge ovation during a break in play, and then crushed all those fans in overtime, although they might prefer seeing their Blackhawks lose at this point in the season.

PATRICK KANE GETS THE OVERTIME WINNER ON THE BREAKAWAY IN CHICAGO!!!!!

ABSOLUTE SCENES IN THE UNITED CENTER 😱 pic.twitter.com/5xlUlGlIfI

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 26, 2024

It also happened to be Chris Chelios night in Chicago, as he had his jersey retired by the team.

Marc-Andre Fleury May Not Move

The Minnesota Wild are suddenly red hot and in playoff contention. What does that mean? Well, it means Marc-Andre Fleury might not be available at the NHL Trade Deadline. He’ll call the shots regarding what happens, and if the team is close to a playoff spot, it doesn’t sound like a move is all that likely.

National Hockey Now

What teams are interested in Jake Guentzel, should the Penguins decide to deal him prior to the NHL Trade Deadline?

If the Sharks decide to deal Nico Sturm, they might get something decent back. Whether or not they do is another story.

Matvei Michkov fell just short of a KHL record.

The Devils gave Lindy Ruff an extension last year. Maybe they’re regretting that.