The Minnesota Wild made significant moves on the second day of NHL free agency, signing six players, including goalie Cal Petersen and forwards Tyler Pitlick and Matt Kiersted. The addition of these players signals a commitment to strengthening their roster depth ahead of the upcoming season.

Tyler Pitlick, a Minnesota native, joins the Wild after a notable AHL season with 21 goals and 25 assists across 59 games. Meanwhile, Petersen, who has experience in both the AHL and NHL, will serve as the team's third goaltender. The Wild also welcomed forwards Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Ben Gleason, emphasizing their focus on enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities.

In a strategic move to bolster their roster, the New York Rangers have acquired forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Erik Brannstrom. Aube-Kubel, aged 28, has yet to make a significant impact this season with just two points in 19 games for the Sabres but has shown promise in the AHL with 8 points in 12 games for the Rochester Americans.

A native of Slave Lake, Alberta, Aube-Kubel has a respectable track record in the NHL, accumulating 80 points over 301 career games across multiple franchises, including Buffalo and Colorado, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Notably, he has consistently registered over 115 hits in each of his last four full seasons, showcasing his physical playing style. This acquisition could provide the Rangers with added depth and a valuable asset as they aim for a strong playoff push.

The Buffalo Sabres are set to take on the Washington Capitals tonight, aiming to halt a three-game losing streak. Facing the Capitals, the current leaders of the Eastern Conference, presents a formidable challenge for the Sabres.

In a shake-up of their lineup following the defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Sabres have made notable changes. While the first line remains unchanged with Jason Zucker, Dylan Cozens, and Tage Thompson, the second line sees Ryan McLeod stepping up as the center, accompanied by wingers JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch. Additionally, the third line features Kulich as the center, with Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs on the wings, while Jack Quinn has been reassigned to the fourth line.

Defensively, Owen Power is paired with Connor Clifton in the second pairing, while Henri Jokiharju returns to play alongside Mattias Samuelsson on the third pairing. Dennis Gilbert will serve as the extra defenseman.

In a series of updates from the NHL, several players are dealing with injuries and illnesses that could impact their teams. Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson was unable to play due to illness, while Buffalo Sabres forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel is questionable for today's game for the same reason. On a more positive note, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is expected to be in the lineup.

Further updates include Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who missed a game due to an upper-body injury, and Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer, who expressed concern over Mason Marchment's injury, stating it is “not good” and more week-to-week. Minnesota Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek is on the verge of returning, while Kirill Kaprizov's situation remains uncertain as he is day-to-day.

In New York, Islanders forward Anthony Duclair and defenseman Ryan Pulock did not participate in an optional skate, while Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller made a comeback after a six-game absence. The New Jersey Devils welcomed Curtis Lazar back after a knee issue, and the San Jose Sharks faced challenges as Carl Grundstrum left early in a game after a hit.

Seattle Kraken's Joey Daccord and Andre Burakovsky missed a recent game due to various ailments, with hopes of returning soon. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Lightning's Michael Eyssimont is day-to-day, and Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube provided an update on Auston Matthews, indicating he is making progress but without a specific return date. Lastly, Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes missed a game, but their injuries are not believed to be serious, while Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin returned to action, although Lars Eller remains sidelined due to illness.

The Buffalo Sabres are struggling, having not won in eight games, and are just one point above the last-place Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference.

To turn things around, suggestions include firing General Manager Kevyn Adams, revamping the power play, and making trades to send a message to the players. The Sabres' power play is among the worst in the NHL, and changes are needed to improve their offensive performance.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Sabres must act quickly to secure their playoff hopes.