The Toronto Maple Leafs get set to embark on a two-game road trip to Florida this week, as they’ll take on the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

The Leafs are off to a great start this season under head coach Craig Berube, sitting atop the Atlantic Division 21 games into the year, posting a 13-6-2 record, including a 7-1-0 record without captain Auston Matthews. Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander continue to carry the load up front, while Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are proving to be one of the best goaltending tandems in the league.

Enough about the Maple Leafs, here’s the very latest from around the NHL, as most teams have reached the 20-game mark:

Jim Montgomery is going back to the St. Louis Blues. Just six days after Montgomery was fired by the Boston Bruins, the former Blues’ assistant coach signed a five-year deal with St. Louis, and stepped in as head coach after they relieved Drew Bannister of his duties.

The Blues are off to a 9-12-1 start and GM Doug Armstrong admitted this coaching change had a lot more to do with Montgomery becoming available than it did with the job Bannister’s done with the Blues. Montgomery won the 2023 Jack Adams Award for coach of the year in Boston and posted an impressive record with the Bruins, going 120-41-23 during his tenure. He returns to St Louis where he served as an assistant coach to Berube.

As for Bannister, he was on the job for less than a year. He took over in St. Louis after the team fired Berube last December, and they officially named him head coach back in May. In 76 games as the Blues’ bench boss, Bannister posted a 39-31-6 record.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the trade market around the league is heating up these days. Friedman offered some of the latest buzz in his latest 32 Thoughts segment.

First off, an idea Friedman presented turned some heads around the Vancouver area as he floated the idea of the Boston Bruins’ trading defenceman Nikita Zadorov back to the Canucks. He admitted it wasn’t something he’s heard, but more so a thought he’s had, as Zadorov is struggling in Bean town and the Canucks could use him on their back end.

Speaking of the Bruins, Friedman mentioned that forwards with ‘edge’ are becoming trade targets around the league and how Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic fit the bill as two potential trade candidates. “So, when the Bruins are being scouted, that’s Trent Frederic. Obviously, his as-yet-undetermined contract status looms large. There was some Morgan Geekie talk, but that may have been when he was out of the lineup. Teams generally understand that if someone in the final season of his contract is not in their plans, they should find that player another situation.”

Philadelphia Flyers forward Morgan Frost has emerged as a trade candidate. Frost can’t find consistent playing time under John Tortorella, and while he’d never publicly complain about his situation, there’s been tons of speculation that a deal could be coming. Frost, 25, is a pending restricted free agent. He’s recorded one goal and six points in 17 games this season and is owed $2.1 million against the cap. Friedman cites the Chicago Blackhawks as a likely destination and mentions the Blackhawks are in the market for centres, along with the Nashville Predators, and the Maple Leafs.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman David Jiricek has become a prime trade candidate and someone Friedman singled out on a recent Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. Friedman mentioned there have been legitimate offers made for the 20-year-old blueliner and former 2022 sixth-overall pick. Jiricek was recently sent down to the AHL and has recorded two points in two games. Friedman mentioned the Edmonton Oilers have been linked, but he wasn’t sure they had the young player or top prospect that the Blue Jackets covet in return.

Crosby hit the 600-goal mark on Saturday, Nov.23, scoring a goal against the Utah Hockey Club.

Crosby became the 21st player in NHL history to reach the milestone and the first player since Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin hit the mark six years ago. Crosby is climbing up the ranks, sitting just one goal behind Jari Kurri for 20th all-time.

The Penguins are struggling this season, posting a 7-12-4 record through their first 23 games. There’s been a lot of speculation about what the future holds for Crosby in Pittsburgh, but to this point, there’s been absolutely zero indication he’d ever consider playing anywhere else.