Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. I can’t believe it is already February and we are deep into this new year. But tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 20 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk for the first episode of the year. It has been a very busy time in the world of hockey so let’s get into it:
- Artemi Panarin is a King – The New York Rangers officially traded star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings just before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, in return for high prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round draft pick in return. Panarin, 34, who was a healthy scratch for the Rangers for roster management reasons leading up to the deal, also agreed to a new two-year, $22 million contract (with an AAV of $11 million) with the Kings, giving him stability beyond the 2025-26 season as he joins a playoff-contending club and looks to be impactful in the post season, while the Rangers are going through a rebuild.
- A Big Penalty – It also sounds like Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones has been suspended for 20 games by the NHL for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substances Program, a punishment that includes mandatory entry into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Jones, already sidelined by injury and a conditioning stint in the AHL, will miss significant time once eligible to return due to the suspension.
- A Depth Trade – The New Jersey Devils have also made a move ahead of the Olympic roster freeze, acquiring veteran forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues to add size, experience, and depth down the middle for their playoff push. In return, St. Louis received forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 2026 fourth-round draft pick, signaling a longer-term outlook for the Blues. The trade gives New Jersey a reliable, physical presence for the second half of the season while allowing St. Louis to pick up a prospect and future asset. It also sounds like Jack Hughes will miss his third straight game for New Jersey with an injury.
- NHL season pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics – The Winter Olympics are upon us at Milano-Cortina in Italy, and are generating major buzz as NHL players return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, with all men’s hockey rosters now set and teams preparing for the Feb. 11 start of the tournament amid ongoing venue readiness efforts at the Santagiulia arena, a previous focus of scrutiny as organizers race to finish key hockey facilities on time. But it looks great and the Women’s team will be the first to take the ice.
- Kravtsov Resigns, and Ben Harpur joins Shanghai Dragons – It also sounds like Vitali Kravtsov signs multi-year deal with Traktor Chelyabinsk. The former NHL forward has returned to the KHL on a new long-term contract in hopes of reigniting his scoring game and boosting one of the league’s competitive sides, while the Shanghai Dragons added NHL veteran blueliner Ben Harpur for the remainder of the season, adding experience and depth to their KHL roster. Both are looking for a fresh start and to make an impact with their respective clubs.
- Barry Trotz Planning to Retire – The longtime NHL figure and former Stanley Cup–winning coach, has announced he will retire from his role as general manager of the Nashville Predators after three seasons in the position, marking the end of a 40-year career in professional hockey. Trotz, 63, informed the Predators’ ownership of his decision late last year and will remain GM through the search for his successor and likely until the end of his contract, also transitioning into an advisory role once a replacement is hired. His tenure included bold roster moves and mixed on-ice results, and while the team is currently in a playoff hunt, Trotz cited family and personal priorities as central to his decision to step aside from NHL management. We wish him all the best in his future.
- Western Hockey League Buzz – The Prince Albert Raiders have surged to the top of the CHL Top‑10 rankings with an impressive winning streak, showcasing their dominance in league play and positioning themselves as one of the WHL’s elite clubs this year. As for off the ice, the league continues to innovate with the inaugural WHL Prospects Game scheduled for February 18, 2026, where the top NHL draft–eligible prospects from the league’s Eastern and Western conferences will compete in front of scouts and fans at the Langley Events Centre. This should be a great event to watch.
- Stars and Flames trade prospects – The Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames completed a minor one‑for‑one trade with the Stars acquiring defenseman Jeremie Poirier from the Flames in exchange for right‑shot defenseman Gavin White. Poirier, 23, will be assigned to the Stars’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, and is known for his puck‑moving and offensive upside from the blue line in the AHL. White, also 23 and yet to make his NHL debut, will join the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, offering Calgary a defensive prospect with a slightly different skill set as both organizations shuffle depth on their back ends.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
