The Nashville Predators will miss 12 weeks following leg surgery from an injury from Tue 14, 2023 game against the Vancouver Canucks Quinn Hughes whose skate cut Johansen on the right leg. (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Nashville Predators Ryan Johansen’s right leg got caught by the skate of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes which made contact on Johansen’s lower leg Tuesday night at 16:43 of the second period. Johansen had to be assisted off the ice. Johansen had to have surgery on the leg and will miss at least 12 weeks he could make it back for the first round of the playoffs.

#2 Alexander Ovechkin had missed the last five games with the Washington Capitals after his father Mikhail passed away at age 71 in Russia. Mikhail was a soccer player in his youth. Ovechkin is returning tonight in Anaheim against the Anaheim Ducks. Ovechkin said he looks forward to getting back to work. The Caps lost to the Ducks 4-2 on Thursday night for the Caps sixth straight loss.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks in a trade with the Ottawa Senators acquired defenseman Nikita Zaitsev . Ottawa received two draft picks from Chicago plus future defensemen considerations. Zaitsev has 108 points, 18 goals and 19 assists in 426 regular season games with the Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. Zaitsev has five assists in 28 games with Ottawa this season.

#4 Len, the New York Rangers are looking to bolster their roster some more, as you know they picked up Vladimir Tarasenko from the St Louis Blues on Feb 10th and now their in talks with the Chicago Blackhawks about acquiring Patrick Kane. Rangers general manager Chris Drury said “Never say never’ regarding acquiring Kane.

#5 New Jersey defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in overtime here’s one team who is interested in Patrick Kane.

#5 The San Jose Sharks Timo Meier remains one of the top sought after players before the trade deadline. The New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes are inquiring about Meier’s services with the Devils being the team who want a long term deal with Meier but the Canes have said that would not be a prerequisite with them. Meier is currently hurt with an upper body injury and has been out since the second period of Sat Feb 18th’s game against the Buffalo Sabers.

6. Edmonton Oilers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-2 as the Oilers Conner McDavid scored two goals tonight with 109 points leading the NHL.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts Thursday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com