Chad Ruhwedel retirement marks the end of a 13-year NHL run that began as an undrafted player out of UMass-Lowell and blossomed into a durable, reliable defender. His NHL journey crossed Buffalo, Pittsburgh and New York, with the Rangers serving as the final chapter. In Buffalo he appeared 33 times over four seasons, then anchored Pittsburgh’s depth D for 326 games, posting 13 goals, 34 assists, 563 hits and 297 blocks. The Rangers gave him brief stints of five games apiece in 2023-24 and 2024-25 before stepping away at 35, leaving with gratitude for the teams and fans who supported him. His path—from unselected to a long NHL career—embodies perseverance and team-first value.

For fantasy audiences, Ruhwedel’s exit creates a depth void on the Penguins’ blue line that could push younger players into more regular PK and bottom-p pair minutes. His career highlights the importance of dependable, defensive-focused risks in the late rounds of dynasty and keeper leagues, where a steady defender can unlock surprise value when paired with solid teammates. The arc—undrafted to veteran—offers a blueprint for how non-stars can influence rotation, PK units and overall team stability over a long season.

Pyotr Kochetkov's stellar performance, with 22 saves and two assists, led the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers. The Hurricanes showcased their strength in the Metropolitan Division, winning four of their last six games.

Despite an early goal from Jimmy Vesey, the Rangers struggled, marking their fourth consecutive home loss and extending their dismal record to 4-12-0 in their last 16 outings.

The New York Rangers faced a disappointing 3-1 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes, marking their record at .500 for the first time this NHL season. Despite an early goal from Jimmy Vesey, the Rangers struggled, losing their fourth consecutive home game.

Pyotr Kochetkov was instrumental for the Hurricanes, stopping 22 shots and assisting on two goals. The loss leaves the Rangers with a troubling 4-12-0 record in their last 16 games.

Pyotr Kochetkov had a standout performance, stopping 22 shots and assisting on two goals, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers.

William Carrier, Jack Roslovic, and Sebastian Aho scored for the Hurricanes, who have now won four of their last six games. The Rangers, struggling with a record of 4-12-0 in their last 16 games, suffered their fourth consecutive home loss.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a seller's market as they approach the NHL Trade Deadline, aiming to acquire young assets. Key players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are deemed untouchable, while others like Tristan Jarry and Ryan Graves fall into the 'please take' category. Several players are categorized as available, including Alex Nedeljkovic and Anthony Beauvillier.

Meanwhile, the New York Rangers have indicated that Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba could be on the trading block. Adam Fox and Alexis Lafreniere are considered non-movable, while young talents like Filip Chytil are seen as long-term investments. The potential for trades remains high as teams assess their rosters.