Reaves has only played three games for the Maple Leafs since the beginning of February and was placed on waivers on Thursday. The 38-year-old hard-hitting forward is averaging 7:48 time-on-ice, recording two points (0G / 2A) and 103 hits in 35 games this season.
Smith has been traded to the Red Wings, joining his fifth club in the past three seasons. The 35-year-old veteran forward had 16 points (9G / 7A) and averaged 11:39 time-on-ice in 40 games with the Blackhawks this season.
Mrazek began his career in Detroit and will return to the Red Wings after being acquired in a trade on Friday. The 33-year-old Mrazek has a 3.46 GAA and .890 SV% in 33 appearances this season (10-19-2). He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.25 million.
The Ducks will turn to Dostal between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Dostal entered Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in relief of an injured John Gibson (lower body), saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in the effort. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.87 GAA and .911 SV% in 38 games this season (18-15-5). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as +137 home underdogs against a Blues squad with points in seven of their last eight (6-1-1).
Utah HC has won four of their last five (1-4-0) and will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Vejmelka was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Czech netminder has a 2.44 GAA and .912 SV% in 39 appearances this season (17-16-4). Utah enters Friday's contest as -163 road favorites against a Chicago team with points in three straight (2-0-1).
Jakub Lauko was acquired along with Marat Khusnutdinov and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Boston Bruins for Justin Brazeau. The 22-year-old Khusnutdinov averaged 11:14 time-on-ice and scored seven points (2G / 5A) in 57 games with Minnesota this season.
Jakub Lauko was acquired along with Marat Khusnutdinov and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Boston Bruins for Justin Brazeau. The 24-year-old Lauko scored six points (3G / 3A) and averaged 10:03 time-on-ice in 38 games with Minnesota this season.
Stankoven is the main piece returning to Carolina in a trade sending Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars after a brief 13-game stint with the Hurricanes. The 22-year-old Stankoven was the 47th overall pick of the Stars in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Stankoven will likely get better deployment than he did in Dallas, where he was often seeing third-line minutes. He scored 29 points (9G / 20A) and averaged 15:06 time-on-ice in 59 games with Dallas this season.
After a short 13-game stint in Carolina, scoring only six points (2G / 4A), the Hurricanes have flipped Rantanen to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Logan Stankoven and several high-end draft picks. The 28-year-old superstar forward is coming off consecutive 100+ point seasons in Colorado and instantly makes the Dallas Stars a Stanley Cup favorites. Rantanen is poised to suit up on the Stars' top line with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz.
Grebenkin was a fifth-round pick, 135th overall, of the Maple Leafs in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old forward made his NHL debut this season, scoring zero points in seven games, but has been much more productive at the AHL level, scoring 21 points (9G / 12A) in 39 games with the Toronto Marlies.
The Flyers have retained 50% of Laughton's contract in a trade sending him to the Maple Leafs. Laughton adds some depth down the middle of the ice for the Maple Leafs, providing some grit and timely offensive contributions. The 30 year-old Laughton registered 27 points (11G / 16A), 33 blocks, and 129 hits in 60 games with the Flyers this season.
Kovacevic has been a staple on New Jersey's blue line this season and earned himself a five-year, $20 million contract extension. The 27-year-old defenseman has 14 points (1G / 13A), 81 blocks, and 83 hits in 63 games this season.
Seattle kept Tanev out of the lineup on Thursday, anticipating a trade of the impending UFA, and have dealt him to Winnipeg on Friday. The 33-year-old Tanev has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 60 games this season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Schenn in a trade from the Nashville Predators earlier this week and have immediately flipped him to the Winnipeg Jets. The Predators signed Schenn to a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.75-million ahead of the 2023-24 season. The 35-year-old defenseman registered five points (1G / 4A), 76 blocks, and 228 hits in 61 games this season.
Kleven has not played since February 26th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Saturday. The 23-year-old Kleven is averaging 14:19 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 2A), 76 blocks, and 70 hits in 58 games this season.
Bernard-Docker has been limited to only 25 games this season, averaging 13:06 time-on-ice, but has been effective when in the lineup. The 24-year-old defenseman has four points (1G / 3A), 25 blocks, and 21 hits this season.
Norris was on a roll in his final games as an Ottawa Senators, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in his final five games. The 25-year-old Norris has battled injuries issues over the previous few seasons but has been productive when he is healthy. Norris will likely fit into the top-six on Buffalo's roster, effectively taking over the role of Dylan Cozens.
Gilbert has only played 25 games this season, averaging 10:04 time-on-ice, but will add needed depth the the Senators blueline. The 28-year-old defenseman has five points (0G / 5A), 29 blocks, and 52 hits this season.
After a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring 68 points (31G / 37A) in 81 games, Cozens has not lived up to expectations in Buffalo, scoring only 78 points (29G / 49A) in 140 games in two seasons since. The 23-year-old Cozens will get the opportunity to re-establish his game in Ottawa with a group of talented young forwards. Cozens will likely take Josh Norris' former spot on Ottawa's top line, playing between David Perron and Drake Batherson.
Kuzmenko began the season with the Calgary Flames, was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has now been dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2027 third-round pick. The Flyers are retaining 50% of Kuzmenko's contract. The impending UFA only had 15 points (4G / 11A) in 37 games with the Flames this season but was much more productive after joining the Flyers, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in seven outings.
