As the NHL trade deadline approaches, we examine some of the top NHL headlines leading up to what we feel may be a quiet trade deadline this season.  Let’s hope some NHL GMs prove us wrong and make a few old fashioned hockey trades.

1. Canadian NHL teams are not a preferred destination for many NHLer’s – ok tell us something we didn’t know. This is unfortunate and a reason why the Canadian teams have not been able to be regular Cup contenders in recent years.  Definite impact on potential trades for teams like the Oilers, Jets, Sens and Leafs.  According to an interesting report from ESPN’s Craig Custance, four of the top five teams on NHL players’ no-trade list are located in Canada.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins showing the wrong kind of fight – the Pens have struggled a little as of late.  As Sportsnet reported, “Frustrated and fed up, Sidney Crosby encouraged Brandon Dubinsky to drop the gloves. The Columbus Blue Jackets centre and frequent tormentor of the Pittsburgh Penguins star eagerly obliged. The fight was a draw. The game was not. Dubinsky’s stick – and not his fists – provided the technical knockout.”
3. Edmonton Oilers win epic shootout to earn first win vs Bruins since 2001 – twenty four shooters and only one goal.  Oilers defencemen Martin Marincin was the only goal scorer in a 12-round shootout between Edmonton and the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.  The Oilers first win over the Bruins in 13 games.
4. The NHL added advanced stats on its website – I’m an online marketing guy so I look at analytics daily so I wasn’t surprised upon hearing news that the NHL has finally added advanced stats on their flagship web property.  The league announced Friday it is overhauling the statistics on its website to include advanced metrics. The multiyear partnership with software and database company SAP eventually will include searchable statistics dating to the league’s inaugural season in 1917-18. There will be 45 enhanced statistics that have grown increasingly popular in recent years by those in search of advanced metrics to measure possession and other facets of the game beyond goals and assists. The overhaul will be done in four phases, a process that started Friday with the addition of advanced statistics to the league’s website.
5. Rookie goalie nets first career win vs. Habs – Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond to talk about earning his first career NHL win against the Montreal Canadiens.  Andrew Hammond made 42 saves in his first NHL start and led the Ottawa Senators to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night.

A big weekend with the NHL Stadium series continuing with the Los Angeles Kings taking on the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.