In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Calgary Flames will lose Jonathan Huberdeau for the season, Artemi Panarin’s wild path to Los Angeles comes into focus, Leon Draisaitl sounds off on the Oilers as they stumble into the Olympic break, and both Columbus and Toronto clarify their trade-deadline stances.
Jonathan Huberdeau Done for Season After Hip Surgery Decision
Jonathan Huberdeau’s 2025–26 campaign is reportedly over. The veteran winger scored Calgary’s opening goal on the power play in a 4–3 win over Edmonton, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that it was Huberdeau’s final game of the season. The 32-year-old now requires hip surgery and will miss the remainder of the year.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Stolarz, Knies, Maccelli & Answers
Huberdeau had reportedly been playing through significant pain, but with the Flames well outside the playoff picture and the Olympic break now underway, it’s time for him to get the issue addressed.
Inside Artemi Panarin’s “Bonkers” Road to Los Angeles
Elliotte Friedman wrote that Artemi Panarin’s final 48 hours with the Rangers was “bonkers,” and as details surface about other offers that were out there, it was clear Panarin took a huge discount to go to the Los Angeles Kings.
Friedman reports that Panarin initially hoped Florida or Tampa Bay would emerge as a fit. Anaheim balked at an extension, San Jose never advanced far, and Los Angeles became the unexpected landing spot. But, they weren’t even close to the best offer.
Panarin’s camp canvassed the league before choosing the Kings. Apparently, there were massive offers elsewhere, including whispers of a four-year, $60 million deal.
Seattle was widely viewed as the aggressive mystery bidder, with reports suggesting the Kraken floated an AAV north of Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million. Carolina, Washington, and possibly Utah also circled. In the end, Panarin made his preference clear: Los Angeles. The Kings re-engaged him and signed him to a two-year, $22 million deal. It sounds like Panarin left $30 million on the table.
Draisaitl Sounds Off as Oilers Limp Into Olympic Break
Frustration boiled over for Leon Draisaitl after Edmonton’s 4–3 loss in Calgary. The Oilers are slipping in a very gettable Pacific Division, and they’ve lost three in a row with a long break to think about how poorly they’ve been playing.
Draisaitl called out the coaches, goaltending, leadership, and depth on the team and said:
“Not consistent enough, and yeah, this league’s too hard to just lollygag through games and try to get winning streaks going. You need everybody. It starts with the coaches, like everybody. You’re never going to win if you have four or five guys going. It starts at the top. We can be better, our leaders can be better, and yeah, take the break and regroup.”
Even though he hasn’t been perfect and is still producing at an elite level — he has 80 points in 55 games. With Anaheim, Seattle, and San Jose trending upward and Vegas and Los Angeles looming (now the Kings have Panarin), Edmonton faces a far tougher path to the postseason than in recent years.
In other Oilers news, the team assigned Calvin Pickard to the AHL, but PuckPedia points out “Pickard does not have to report to the AHL until Feb 17. By assigning him to AHL, he does not accrue NHL roster days towards requiring waivers again to be sent down (players need waivers again after being on NHL roster for 30 days since clearing waivers).”
Jenner Likely Staying Put, Leafs Set Price on Bobby McMann
On the trade front, Boone Jenner is expected to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Reports indicate contract talks during the Olympic break will take precedence over any trade discussions.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are holding firm on Bobby McMann’s value. Elliotte Friedman reports Toronto is asking for a first-round pick for the 29-year-old winger, who has 19 goals and 32 points in 56 games. The belief is that McMann could have been traded on Wednesday, but the Leafs are waiting for the return they want.
