Welcome to the first Around the NHL of 2025! The calendar has flipped, the holiday roster freeze is long behind us, and there’s plenty of action to talk about in the hockey world.

From trade speculation on a couple of big names, to deferred money on newly signed extensions, to a struggling team becoming quite fragile, here’s the very latest from around the NHL:

Canucks listening on trade offers for J.T Miller and Elias Pettersson

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Vancouver Canucks management duo of Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford are listening to trade offers on both J.T Miller and Elias Pettersson. While the team is not shopping either forward aggressively, the team is open to hearing how creative teams are willing to get to land either star forward.

“In calling around, this is what I can tell. The Canucks are definitely, definitely, looking at the market for both players,” stated Friedman during Saturday Headlines Jan.4. “You should be prepared for all outcomes, there’s really three of them. Neither gets dealt, one of them gets dealt, or both gets dealt. That’s on the table”

Miller, 31, is signed for $8 million AAV through the 2029-30 season. He does have a full no-movement clause and would have to approve any deal. Miller has recorded six goals and 25 points in 28 games so far this season.

Pettersson, 26, is currently on Injured Reserve but is expected back very soon. The Swedish forward is signed for $11.6 million AAV through the 2031-32 season, however, his no-movement clause doesn’t kick in until this offseason, leaving the Canucks’ brass full reigns to move Pettersson at any time this season. He’s scored 10 goals and 28 points in 34 games this season.

Friedman also noted the Canucks are interested in landing a centre back in return, if they do end up making a deal. The Canucks also have a slew of injuries on their blue line, so it’s likely at some point this season, Vancouver will acquire another defenceman to add to their back end.

While it doesn’t feel like the Maple Leafs are going to be involved with either Canucks’ star, teams like the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, and Anaheim Ducks could be three teams to keep an eye on as trade speculation continues.

Ducks extend Frank Vatrano, deferred salary included

Ducks forward Frank Vatrano recorded his own video to break his freshly signed extension in Anaheim. The deal is for three years, at $18 million total, however, due to deferred salary that doesn’t kick in for another 10 years, Vatrano’s AAV on the Ducks’ salary cap is only $4.57 million.

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A message from Frank Vatrano. #FlyTogether

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Per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the contract’s base salary will be $3 million a year, with the remaining $9 million in deferred salary. Starting in 2035, Vatrano will receive $900,000 a year in that amount.

Vatrano celebrated his new extension scoring two goals on Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vatrano is up to 11 goals and 23 points, in 38 games this season. The Ducks are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games and are creeping closer to being a .500 hockey club.

Rasmus Dahlin calls out Sabres for constant slow starts

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is sick and tired of losing. After Buffalo’s 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights last weekend, Dahlin spoke to the media and wasn’t shy about his thoughts on his team. “Started too late,” the star defenceman lamented postgame Jan.4.

“It just cannot happen in this league. You have to be ready at the first whistle. They rolled over us in the first period and then we started playing good again, but too late. We have to be better. This is not acceptable.”

The Sabres are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, 14-21-5 on the season, and maintain the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference standings. From their GM stating the team isn’t a destination city to head coach Lindy Ruff saying it’s the worst he’s ever seen to Dahlin airing out his frustration after games, it’s been a roller-coaster season for the Sabres. Keep an eye on the trade market before March 7; Buffalo could be in for a major shakeup.

Quick hits from around the NHL:

Capitals’ prospect Ryan Leonard was named tournament MVP, leading Team USA to a World Junior Hockey Championship with a 4-3 overtime victory over Team Finland.
Ottawa Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark, and defenseman Travis Hamonic are out for at least a couple of weeks, both dealing with injuries.
The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are expected to be hosting an outdoor game next season.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Rangers’ defenseman Zac Jones has been a healthy scratch lately, and admitted to the media, that it feels like he’s rotting away, not playing or being able to help his team win hockey games.
Blackhawks’ Jason Dickinson admitted after Chicago’s loss to the St. Louis Blues at the Winter Classic that he expected things to be bad for the Blackhawks this season, but not this bad. With a 13-25-2 record, Chicago is the worst team in the NHL.

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