Multiple Teams Covet All-Star Larkin

Good morning and happy Friday, February 3rd.

No scores or highlights from last to report but plenty to discuss ahead of the NHL's trade deadline and the NHL's All-Star weekend. Enjoy the skills comp tonight, game Saturday, and we'll see you first thing Monday morning! 👊🍻

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is the new Bo Horvat.

There’s been no indication the Red Wings will move him. But Larkin can be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and is still unsigned. That is enough to place his name in the rumor mill.

Larkin will go to this weekend’s NHL All-Star hearing rumors about how the Boston Bruins are interested. Maybe the Carolina Hurricanes or Los Angeles Kings. There’s lots of chatter about Larkin, like there was before Horvat was moved.

With one month to go before the March 3 NHL trade deadline, the chatter about deals is ramping up. The deal that sent Horvat from Vancouver to the New York Islanders for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and a 2023 (top 12 protected) first round draft pick has stirred discussion.

Also, the Vegas Golden Knights announced Mark Stone is having back surgery. That will put him on the long-term injured reserve list, freeing up cap space for Vegas to be a buyer.

Here are seven other players who might be dealt:

Forward Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks): The Blackhawks plan to talk to Kane next week about moving. The buzz: he’s going to the New York Rangers.

Center Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks): He has been linked to the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche.

Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (Columbus Blue Jackets): Very dependable player. Several contenders are interested, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Columbus wants a first-round pick and a third.

Center Ryan O’Reilly (St. Louis Blues): All the teams needing a center will look at this former playoff MVP.

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues); How about the Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils or New York Rangers (if they don’t get Kane)?

Left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (Detroit Red Wings): If GM Steve Yzerman retains half his salary, a team only needs $2.375 million in cap space for Bertuzzi. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are rumored to be interested.

Defenseman John Klingberg (Anaheim Ducks): The Seattle Kraken, a surprising playoff team, could use a puck mover on defense.

🔁 Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin replaces teammate Tage Thompson at 2023 All-Star Game. Forward Tage Thompson left Wednesday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period due to an upper body injury. Dahlin is a worthy replacement as he ranks second among all NHL defenseman with 55 points, trailing only fellow Swedish defenseman and NHL All-Star Erik Karlsson. And Dahlin's average time-on-ice of 26:07 ranks 3rd among all NHL players.

🎯 NHL All-Star Skills Competition tonight at 7 PM EST. In addition to the staple four events of the NHL's All-Star skills competition (hardest shot, accuracy shooting, fastest skater, and the breakaway challenge) the league has added three new events for this year: NHL Splash Shot, the NHL Pitch N' Puck and the NHL Tendy Tandem. See who's competing in each event here. And check out ESPN's Skills Competitions predictions here.

What year and what city did the NHL introduce the Skills Competition to the NHL All-Star Game?

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The NHL staged its first skills competition in 1990, ahead of the 41st All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.