All season long, we're asking fans to vote for the top play of the year. This best of the best campaign will be a battle of No. 1 plays from NHL Live's Top 10 Plays of the Week segments. Below are the choices for the two finest plays of 2014-15. Make your pick in the poll and share your comments as you'll help determine the ultimate winner of this NHL.com Top Play Faceoff.
CHALLENGER:
February 7th:Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly blocks a shot and then dekes around the entire Oilers defense before burying a shot into the top corner.
CHAMPION:
December 27th: Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist circles around with the puck on his stick for about 28 seconds before flicking the OT winner by Senators goalie Craig Anderson.
Appearing on NHL Live on Thursday, Cheveldayoff said he'd potentially be open to more moves before the 3 p.m. deadline on March 2.
"We still think that if there's a chance to grab a forward we would certainly look at that, but we'll see," Cheveldayoff said. "It's one of those things where you don't know what opportunities present themselves. The trade deadline is getting closer. Everything always starts heating up at that point in time so we'll keep our options open."
Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving said he won't force a trade after other Western Conference contenders made deals this week.
"You're cognizant of the teams around you, but you don't do anything just because somebody else did," Treliving told the Calgary Sun on Wednesday. "I think you have to be very careful of saying, 'Well, Team X did this, so we've have to go do something just to do something.'"
Calgary entered play Thursday in the second wild-card position into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
"[Murray] has been pretty adamant about trying to add another D-man," Fowler, a defenseman, told the newspaper. "We feel comfortable with the group we have, but if there's somebody who can be brought in to help us, that's always good too."
NHL Live, with Steve Mears, E.J. Hradek and Mike Rupp, at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, will talk to Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff in light of the blockbuster trade Wednesday that saw the Jets acquire defenseman Tyler Myers and forward Drew Stafford in addition to two prospects and a draft pick. Cheveldayoff will call into the show at 6:15 p.m.
The St. Louis Blues visit the Tampa Bay Lightning as one of nine games on the Thursday schedule, and Blues analyst Darren Pang will join us via Arena Cam at Amalie Arena for a preview of the action.
NHL Network insider Darren Dreger will make an appearance at 6:40 p.m. to offer his latest thoughts around the League.
NHL Live with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek, at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, previews the Wednesday Night Rivalry game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks as NBCSN analyst Pierre McGuire joins us from the Arena Cam at Consol Energy Center at 6 p.m.
The Washington Capitals visit the San Jose Sharks later Wednesday, and we'll go out to SAP Center via Arena Cam and welcome in Capitals radio voice John Walton at 6:40 p.m. for his thoughts on the matchup.
This week in our prospect report, we'll talk to wing Timo Meier of the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at 5:30 p.m.
The Boston Bruins are reportedly in the market for a veteran reinforcement on right wing and Buffalo Sabres forward Chris Stewart could be the answer, according to the Boston Globe.
The Bruins tried to acquire Stewart on two previous occasions, including last spring after they were knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Second Round, according to the report. Stewart, who has nine goals and 22 points in 53 games this season, carries a $4.15 million salary-cap charge and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
"The last time I talked to [Sabres GM] Tim Murray was at the GMs' meeting in November, I have not had a discussion with him since," Bob Murray told Pierre LeBrun.
The Ducks (34-13-7) lead the Pacific Division by 12 points and are a point behind the Nashville Predators for the best record in the NHL.
With the NHL Trade Deadline on March 2 at 3 p.m. ET quickly approaching, Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek of NHL Live evaluated teams on the outside of the Stanley Cup Playoff picture and whether each will be buyers or sellers.
"I think the Toronto Maple Leafs, for example, are going to be really busy," Hradek said. "It seems like they would like to move a lot of different pieces out. Everybody will be competing for those defensemen because you never -- you never -- have enough defensemen when you go into the playoffs.
"It should be very, very interesting the next couple of a weeks. I do expect there to be a fair amount of movement because I think we have some defined sellers already."
Introducing the new official NHL App, available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets. A host of new features and improved functionality are available across all platforms, including a redesigned league-wide scoreboard, expanded news coverage, searchable video highlights, individual team experiences* and more. The new NHL App on your tablet also introduces new offerings such as 60fps video, Multitasking** and Picture-in-Picture.
*Available only for smartphones
** Available only for suported iPads