The Vegas Golden Knights are actively exploring trade possibilities involving Tomas Hertl, with discussions pointing towards a potential move to an Eastern Conference team. There have been whispers connecting him to the Carolina Hurricanes, although there's been no confirmation of a deal.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for an active offseason, armed with significant draft picks, including the No. 11 selection and potentially the No. 12 from the New York Rangers. The Penguins are looking to bolster their roster with young talent through trades, potentially involving veterans like Erik Karlsson, whose hefty contract and no-movement clause complicate matters. Additionally, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have garnered interest, with Rust's no-movement clause set to expire soon, making him a viable trade candidate.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively considering trade options for veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson as part of their roster retooling under new head coach Dan Muse. With a $10 million cap hit and two years remaining on his contract, the Penguins' general manager, Kyle Dubas, is exploring the market but faces challenges due to Karlsson's full no-movement clause. However, Karlsson is reportedly willing to waive this clause for a contending team, indicating potential flexibility in his trade prospects.

In an effort to facilitate a deal, the Penguins may retain a portion of Karlsson's salary, utilizing one of their retention slots available this season. Alongside Karlsson, the Penguins are also open to trade discussions involving forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, signaling a broader readiness for change. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun confirmed that the front office is listening to offers for most players not considered 'legacy' figures, such as Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to make a splash in the trade market rather than during free agency this upcoming July. General Manager Kyle Dubas has indicated that the team is targeting trades as they look to improve their roster, focusing on young players who can fit into their long-term strategies. Key veterans such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are likely to attract interest from other teams, potentially enabling Pittsburgh to secure younger talent in return.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are also contemplating roster changes, particularly in terms of depth scoring. GM Tom Fitzgerald has acknowledged that the current mix is inadequate, and they are eyeing players from the Colorado Avalanche, including Ross Colton and Charlie Coyle, to enhance their offensive capabilities. This strategic shift reflects both teams' desire to quickly rebound into playoff contention.

The 2024-25 NHL fantasy hockey season concluded with standout performances from several players, leading to the distribution of prestigious awards. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets dominated the fantasy landscape, likely clinching the Art Ross Trophy with a significant lead. Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper's journey from adversity to top performance earned him the Fantasy Hart Trophy. The Fantasy Calder Trophy was awarded to Lane Hutson, who transformed his rookie season into a top-tier performance. Zach Werenski reclaimed the Fantasy Norris Trophy with impressive stats as a defenseman. Mackenzie Blackwood's rise with the Colorado Avalanche secured him the Fantasy Vezina Trophy, showcasing the impact of trades. Rickard Rakell emerged as the comeback player of the year, demonstrating great resilience.

This week in the NHL saw a significant number of injury updates that could greatly impact fantasy lineups as teams near the end of the regular season. The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with key absences as Josh Norris missed a game due to a mid-body injury, while Sam Lafferty was absent from practice. The Calgary Flames also faced setbacks with Mikael Backlund sidelined, while MacKenzie Weegar and Joel Farabee made their returns.

The Chicago Blackhawks are particularly hit hard, as Jason Dickinson is out for the season with a wrist injury, and Alec Martinez is day-to-day. In Detroit, the Red Wings are monitoring Elmer Soderblom, who will miss the upcoming game after re-aggravating an injury. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot exited a game with an undisclosed injury, and Alex Turcotte is day-to-day.

Other notable mentions include the St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, who is skating but not ready to return, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Erik Cernak, who also suffered an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Tomas Hertl's absence on a road trip, while Alex Pietrangelo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the regular season winding down, these injuries could significantly affect playoff aspirations and fantasy rosters alike.